Two trains have collided in the Bedford area, police have confirmed. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue teams are on the scene and have urged people to avoid the area.
Details of the Collision
The two East Midlands Railway (EMR) services involved were the 4.40pm from Corby to London St Pancras and the 3.50pm Nottingham to London St Pancras. Aerial footage shows the damaged trains with most carriages on the tracks but at least one shunted off. Emergency vehicles lined a rural road as crews and passengers gathered in a neighbouring field.
An air ambulance is on the ground after the collision occurred just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6. A Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union spokesperson reported that on-board staff and passengers have sustained serious injuries.
Passenger Accounts
Passenger Pete Knapp described scenes of panic. “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 told the Press Association. He added that he saw people with broken legs and life-threatening injuries. Dr Knapp said he did not feel the train slow down before the crash and managed to escape through a gap in the doors.
Dr Knapp stated: “I’ve got blood all over my trousers and my back hurts like hell but I’m alright.” He noted no warning horns or explosions, just a sudden impact.
Emergency Response
Bedford Hospital and Luton and Dunstable University Hospital have asked people to avoid their emergency departments unless they have a genuine medical emergency. British Transport Police warned relatives not to travel to the scene. EMR trains cannot run in or out of London St Pancras for the rest of the day, advising customers: “DO NOT TRAVEL this evening.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was “deeply concerned” and thanked emergency services. Health Secretary James Murray is being kept updated. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has sent inspectors to gather evidence.
Expert Analysis
Rail expert Tony Miles described the crash as a “relatively slow speed collision” with “fairly minimal” damage. He suggested it was a rear-end collision, possibly due to a signal passed at danger or a driver error. “Even relatively low-speed collisions can be dangerous for people that are on board,” he warned.
Bedford and Kempston MP Mohammad Yasin expressed his sorrow, and Transport Salaried Staffs Association general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said safety is the number one priority. The East of England Ambulance Service sent an air ambulance and a Hazardous Area Response Team.
