One dead and dozens seriously injured as two trains collide near Bedford

LAST UPDATE | 4 hrs ago

ONE PERSON HAS died and dozens of others were injured when two passenger trains collided near Bedford in England earlier this evening.

Footage from the aftermath shows one train smashing into the back of the other on the same line.

Most carriages of the two southbound trains remained on the tracks but at least one derailed.

East Midlands Railway services to and from London St Pancras are suspended for the remainder of today, the train operator has said.

The two trains involved in the collision at Bedford South were the 4.40pm East Midlands Railway service from Corby to London St Pancras and the 3.50pm Nottingham to London St Pancras service.

One person died, 11 suffered “very serious” injuries and 22 were seriously injured, East of England Ambulance Service said.

All patients with the most serious injuries have all now been taken to hospital.

A further 56 people sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene or in hospital.

The UK’s transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, said she was “deeply concerned” by the reports.

Advertisement

“We’re working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to support passengers.”

Relatives and friends of the passengers injured are being asked not to travel to the scene.

Meanwhile, the public have been told to avoid attending the emergency department at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital unless they have a genuine emergency.

A witness said people were “crying, screaming” and some seemed to have major injuries following the crash.

Pete Knapp (40) told the Press Association: “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.

“I got up and I saw a lot of people who were unable to speak, had broken legs, and then I managed to get out of the train and because I’m quite thin I was able to squeeze out through the gap in the doors.”

He added: “My first thought was I needed to get out of the train just in case it was a terrorist explosion, I thought it was safer to get off the train.”

He said he had not felt the train slow down before the crash, but other passengers told him they had.

He told PA he saw people with “life-threatening, major injuries, minor injuries” as well as “people with bandages, people who couldn’t see straight”, while others like him were still able to walk.

He said: “I’ve got blood all over my trousers and my back hurts like hell but I’m alright.”