Train collision near Bedford kills driver and injures dozens
Two East Midlands Railway services collided south of Bedford, killing the driver and leaving 89 people injured, including 11 with very serious injuries.
A collision between two East Midlands Railway trains occurred just south of the Elstow interchange near Bedford shortly after 17:00 BST, resulting in the death of a train driver and injuries to 89 passengers and crew members. British Transport Police declared a major incident and confirmed the fatality shortly before 21:00 BST.
The East of England Ambulance Service reported that 11 people sustained very serious injuries, 22 were seriously injured and 56 suffered minor injuries. Emergency responders, including Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue, the local police, and an air ambulance, were dispatched to the scene, and hospitals in Bedford and Luton asked the public to avoid their emergency departments unless necessary.
East Midlands Railway identified the trains involved as the 16:40 service from Corby to London St Pancras and the 15:50 service from Nottingham to London St Pancras. A company spokesperson said staff were working with Network Rail and emergency services and that services to and from London St Pancras were suspended for the remainder of the day.
"My thoughts are with the family of the person who has sadly lost their life, and with those who have been seriously injured," Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote on X.
"We are being kept updated on the collision of two trains between Luton and Bedford," Health Secretary James Murray said.
"The union is devastated to learn that a train driver and former RMT rep has tragically died," RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has deployed inspectors to gather evidence at the site. Thameslink reported that the line between Luton and Bedford was blocked from around 17:30 BST.
Passenger accounts described the impact as violent, with reports of smoke, blood, and people being thrown from their seats. The investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing.
