A catastrophic train crash has shaken commuters in East Midlands as two passenger trains collided near Bedford yesterday afternoon, leaving a trail of injuries in its wake. The devastating incident occurred at approximately 17:12 BST on the railway line south of Bedford, prompting an emergency response from multiple agencies and services.
British Transport Police confirmed they were responding to the incident just before 18:45 BST, with Thameslink services reporting blocked lines between Luton and Bedford from around 17:30 BST. The collision point is understood to be just south of the Elstow interchange, between the A421 and the A6, with both trains remaining on the tracks. Family and friends of passengers have been advised by police not to travel to the scene.
EMR has identified the trains involved as the 16:40 service from Corby to London St Pancras and the 15:50 service from Nottingham to London St Pancras. Early accounts from passengers suggest one train may have struck another that was either stationary or moving slowly on the same line. One passenger described seeing 'bloodied faces', individuals with suspected broken legs, and 'smoke everywhere' following the impact. Another recounted how people were thrown from their seats, resulting in numerous facial injuries.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has stated that it has received reports of 'serious injuries' sustained by both passengers and onboard train staff. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed her 'deep concern' regarding the collision, while the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has dispatched a team of inspectors to the site near Elstow to commence gathering evidence and determine the exact circumstances of the crash.
Emergency services, including Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, British Transport Police, and the East of England Ambulance Service, are fully engaged at the scene. The ambulance service confirmed it has deployed a range of resources, including an air ambulance and its Hazardous Area Response Team, urging the public to avoid the area to allow responders to work effectively. EMR had earlier announced the suspension of all services to and from London St Pancras for the remainder of the day.