AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after an early morning commuter train derailed at Beckenham.

The 6.52am service from Victoria failed to stop at a signal as it pulled into Beckenham Junction and ran into the buffers.

The front section of the leading carriage on the train came off the rails. Some passengers were shocked but no one was hurt.

A spokesman for South Central, which runs the service, confirmed the driver had been tested for alcohol and drugs but no traces were found. He returned to work the next day.

He added: "It is too early to speculate on the cause of the accident. A specialist team was called in to inspect the track but it could be up to a month before we have any detailed information."

The investigation will cover all possibilities including driver error, track faults or a brakes' failure.

Contractors stayed at the scene all day after pulling the train back on to the tracks after the incident last Wednesday. Railtrack suggested it might need to bring in a crane to hoist the eight-coach train.

Services from London were diverted through Croydon and tickets were accepted on Croydon Tramlink until 8.30pm. A reduced service started running again on Thursday.