The train drivers' union Aslef has issued a heartbreaking statement following a fatal train collision near Bedford on Friday evening. A driver was killed and dozens of passengers were injured when two East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains crashed on the same line shortly after 5pm.
Details of the Incident
The collision involved the 4.40pm service from Corby and the 3.50pm service from Nottingham, both bound for London St Pancras. One train smashed into the back of the other, causing at least one carriage to derail. Most carriages remained on the tracks.
East of England Ambulance Service confirmed that one person died, 11 suffered very serious injuries, and 22 were seriously injured. An additional 56 people sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene or in hospital. All patients with the most serious injuries have been taken to hospital.
Passenger Pete Knapp, 40, described the chaos: “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 added that he saw people with broken legs and life-threatening injuries, and managed to escape through a gap in the doors.
Emergency Response
Air ambulance helicopters were deployed, and a long line of emergency vehicles gathered on a rural road near the Elstow interchange. Bedford Hospital and Luton and Dunstable University Hospital asked people to avoid their emergency departments unless absolutely necessary.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the crash as “hugely concerning” and thanked emergency services for their swift response.
Union Statements
Eddie Dempsey, general secretary of the RMT union, confirmed the deceased was a train driver and former RMT representative. He said: “We are devastated to learn that a train driver and former RMT rep has tragically died as a result of today’s crash. The thoughts of RMT are with their family, friends, colleagues and the Aslef trade union at this awful time.”
Dave Calfe, general secretary of Aslef, added: “Our thoughts tonight are with the family and friends of the driver who died in the crash near Bedford today and with the passengers who were injured in the accident. We want to thank the emergency services who responded so quickly.”
Investigation and Background
A team from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch is on site gathering evidence. The rolling stock involved included a class 360 (at least 20 years old) and a class 810 (introduced in December 2025). Network Rail expressed support for the emergency services and thoughts for everyone involved.
This is the first fatal multiple-train collision in Britain since October 2024, when a crash in mid-Wales killed one passenger and seriously injured four others.
EMR services to and from London were suspended for the rest of the day. Members of the public were asked to avoid the scene.
