A train driver has been killed and 89 people injured after two passenger trains collided south of Bedford on Friday evening, in what authorities have described as a major incident.
The crash happened at about 5.15pm near the Elstow interchange between the A421 and A6, British Transport Police said, prompting a massive emergency response including 20 ambulances and six air ambulances. The two trains involved were the 4.40pm East Midlands Railway service from Corby to London St Pancras and the 3.50pm Nottingham to London St Pancras service, the train operator confirmed.
“A train driver died and 89 were injured after two East Midlands Railway services collided near Bedford on Friday evening.”
Witnesses described a violent impact as one train struck the rear of another. Passenger Pete Knapp said: “There was a moment of being flung into the chair in front, and then I saw smoke. People were crying, screaming, people were so scared and confused.” He reported seeing people with “life-threatening, major injuries, minor injuries”. Another witness told ITV News Anglia they heard a “loud bang” and claimed “passengers went flying”.
The East of England Ambulance Service said 11 people suffered “very serious” injuries, 22 were seriously injured, and a further 56 sustained minor injuries treated at the scene or in hospital. The person killed was the driver of one of the trains, the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers confirmed. General secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “The thoughts of RMT are with their family, friends, colleagues and the ASLEF trade union at this awful time.” He added that the driver had been a former union representative.
Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy of British Transport Police said: “We’ve declared a major incident and a significant emergency service response is ongoing. We’re working at pace to establish exactly what’s happened and will provide further information as soon as we are able to.” Network Rail said its “absolute priority” was ensuring “everyone receives the care and support they need”.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to the family of the person who died and those seriously injured, adding: “I am grateful to the emergency services for their swift response to this tragic incident.”
Investigators from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch arrived at the scene and began gathering evidence, while rail services between Luton and Bedford were suspended and East Midlands Railway cancelled services to and from London St Pancras for the remainder of the day. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.