Train Driver Killed, 33 Seriously Injured in Bedford East Midlands Railway Collision
A train driver has died and 89 people were injured following a collision between two East Midlands Railway (EMR) services travelling southbound to London St Pancras near Bedford. British Transport Police declared a major incident after the crash, which took place around 17:15 BST.
The East of England Ambulance service confirmed 11 individuals suffered very serious injuries, 22 sustained serious injuries, and a further 56 had minor injuries. Eddie Dempsey, General Secretary of the RMT union, expressed devastation at the death of the train driver, identified as a former RMT representative.
Passengers recounted the immediate aftermath of the collision. Dr Peter Knapp, travelling in the front carriage of one train, described feeling as though he had been in a "bomb explosion," witnessing "bloodied faces" and broken limbs, with smoke filling the carriages. Shola Mene, another passenger, reported a "big bang" that sent people flying from their seats, resulting in numerous facial injuries.
The incident involved the 16:40 EMR train from Corby to London St Pancras and the 15:50 Nottingham to London St Pancras service at Bedford South. An air ambulance was dispatched to the scene, just south of Elstow, near the A421 and A6 interchange. Aerial footage showed both trains damaged, with at least one carriage shunted off the tracks. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
