Nearly 90 Injured After Two Trains Collide Near Bedford

A collision between two passenger trains near Bedford on Friday afternoon resulted in one fatality and nearly 90 injuries, including over 30 serious cases, the East of England Ambulance Service said. British Transport Police confirmed the death and reported that several passengers required hospital treatment.

Passengers described the impact and its aftermath. Teresa Itabor, travelling from Wellingborough to London, said the train left Bedford station and a loud bang was heard, after which she struck her head on the seat in front of her and saw people on the floor with blood.

Dr. Peter Knapp, who was in the front carriage of the train that struck the other, said he felt as if he had been in an explosion and observed bloodied faces, broken limbs and smoke. He added that police were collecting passenger details while some victims were bleeding heavily.

Another passenger, Brett Byatt, noted that the train normally does not slow between Bedford and Luton, but on this occasion it decelerated gradually before a sudden impact that threw seated passengers into one another. He described injuries he witnessed, including a woman with a broken leg and another with a possible back injury, as well as a man who appeared unable to move his neck.

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash while emergency services treat the injured.