No trains are operating between St Pancras station and Bedford today following a rail crash that resulted in one fatality and 89 injuries. The incident occurred when two trains collided yesterday afternoon.
Service Disruption Extended
Services will remain suspended between the stations until at least Monday as emergency services continue their response. The crash caused severe delays on the rail network, with East Midlands Railway warning of severe disruptions throughout Saturday. National Rail confirmed that tickets would be accepted on alternative routes.
Planned engineering works are also contributing to the route's closure. Police remained near the crash scene near Bedford overnight.
Injury Toll
The collision left 11 people with very serious injuries, 22 seriously injured, and 56 with minor injuries, according to the East of England Ambulance Service. Multiple passengers were injured after the 4:40pm East Midlands Railway service from Corby to London St Pancras collided with the 3:50pm Nottingham to London St Pancras service on Friday.
Ampthill Road is closed from the Interchange Retail Park roundabout to Manor Road in Kempston Hardwick. A British Transport Police officer was stationed by the road closure sign on the roundabout exit to divert drivers.
A Rail Accidents Investigation Branch van and a Deutsche Bahn vehicle have been permitted to drive onto the closed road.
Official Statement
A spokesperson for National Rail said: “All lines are closed between London St Pancras International and Bedford due to planned engineering works. Since yesterday, Friday 19 June, the emergency services have also been dealing with an incident between Luton and Bedford. No trains will run between London St Pancras International and Bedford this weekend. You can read more information on the engineering works via the Bedford and London St Pancras International engineering page. Trains that usually start and terminate at London St Pancras International will start and terminate at Bedford instead. East Midlands Railway will be operating a planned, amended timetable as a result.”
