ONE DEAD, SEVERAL INJURED AS TWO TRAINS COLLIDE IN UK

Read Time:2 Minute, 42 Second

Agency report

One person has died and “a number of people have been injured” after two passenger trains collided on Friday near Bedford, north of London, British Transport Police have said.

The police confirmed that “a major incident has been declared, and officers are continuing to respond at the scene alongside colleagues from Bedfordshire Police and the local Fire and Rescue and Ambulance Services.”

“We know that a number of people have been injured and one person has very sadly died,” the force added in a late Friday update.

The collision between the two passenger trains triggered a large emergency response, with air ambulances among those deployed to the scene to assist the injured.

The crash occurred late in the afternoon south of Bedford, a market town about 56 miles (90 kilometres) north of London, according to East Midlands Railway (EMR).

Passenger Pete Knapp described the moment of impact, saying, “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, “I saw a lot of people who were unable to speak, had broken legs,” noting that some passengers appeared to have “life-threatening, major injuries” alongside minor injuries.

Health Secretary James Murray also confirmed that “a number of people have been injured,” while thanking emergency responders for “helping those affected.”

Unverified footage circulating on social media showed two EMR trains in collision, with one appearing to have struck the other, while passengers were seen standing on the tracks beside damaged carriages.

“We’re responding to reports of a collision involving two trains in the Bedford area,” British Transport Police said on X.

Although the trains appeared to remain upright on the tracks in some images, one passenger said a carriage may have derailed.

Knapp also shared footage on Bluesky, stating he was “in the front carriage” and “in shock” after the crash.

“I’m ok with bloody legs and back impact. Others are not good,” he added.

An EMR spokesperson confirmed that the incident involved two of its trains heading southbound towards London St Pancras station.

One train had departed from Corby, while the other originated from Nottingham, both in central England.

Train services in and out of London St Pancras were suspended for the rest of the evening following the incident.

Three local ambulance services confirmed that their teams, including air ambulances, were deployed to the scene, with two describing it as “a major incident.”

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said its crews were also in attendance, while emergency services continued to assess casualties.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was “deeply concerned” by reports of the collision.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch confirmed that inspectors had been deployed to the site “to start gathering evidence.”

Train collisions remain relatively rare in the United Kingdom.

In September 2023, several people were injured after two trains collided at Aviemore railway station in Scotland, involving the historic Flying Scotsman steam locomotive.

In August 2020, a passenger train derailed near Stonehaven in northeast Scotland after a landslip, killing three people and injuring six others.

Following the tragedy, Network Rail later pleaded guilty to safety failings and was fined £6.7 million.