King Charles has issued an emotional message following the Bedford train crash, which resulted in at least one death and several injuries. A train driver was killed and more than 80 people were injured when two passenger trains collided near Bedford on Friday.
The Incident
The crash involved two East Midlands Railway (EMR) services, when one smashed into the back of the other on the same line shortly after 5pm on Friday. At least 33 other people were taken to hospital with serious injuries, while a further 56 people sustained minor injuries, British Transport Police said.
King's Response
The King’s spokesperson said that the monarch is “greatly saddened” by the rail crash and is being kept regularly updated on developments. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “His Majesty is greatly saddened by the rail crash in Bedford yesterday evening and is being kept regularly updated on developments. His thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the deceased and with all those injured or affected by such a tragic incident.”
Details of the Crash
The two trains involved were operating the 4.40pm departure from Corby and the 3.50pm departure from Nottingham, both to London St Pancras. Most carriages of the two southbound trains remained on the tracks but at least one derailed.
Witness Accounts
Passenger Pete Knapp told the Press Association people were “crying, screaming” and said some seemed to have major injuries. Brett Byatt, another passenger on board, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he was among three or four people in his carriage who were not injured, adding: “Everyone else had either a serious wound that was bleeding profusely, or a situation where they couldn’t stand, or couldn’t move their neck, or I saw a woman’s snapped leg.”
Official Response
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the crash as “hugely concerning” and said he was “grateful to the emergency services for their swift response to this tragic incident”. There was a huge emergency response to the crash, which happened just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6. It included multiple air ambulance helicopters and road vehicles.
