Bedford train crash: Everything we know about the collision that killed a driver and injured 89

A train crash in Bedfordshire[1] has left one dead and dozens more injured after two services collided during rush hour. The fatal incident took place on Friday when the 4:40pm departure from Corby collided into the back of the 3:50pm from Nottingham. Both services were headed to London St Pancras.[2][3]

As of Saturday lunchtime, 28 remain in hospital with nine in a critical condition, British Transport Police chief constable Lucy D'Orsi said. King Charles and[4] Sir Keir Starmer have offered their condolences after a train driver was killed, with reports on Saturday that nine more people are in critical condition.

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British Transport Police officers, Rail Accident Investigation Branch officers, and Network Rail work at the site of two East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains which crashed into each other on June 19 (AFP/Getty)

Here is everything we know about the train crash in Bedford so far:

How the train crash unfolded

The crash involving two East Midlands Railway (EMR) services took place at around 5pm Friday, when one smashed into the back of the other - which was stationary - on the same line near Bedford. A train driver was killed and 33 other people were taken to hospital with serious injuries, British Transport Police said, after at least one carriage derailed in the crash. A further 56 people sustained minor injuries.

Passenger Dr Pete Knapp described being "flung" into the seat in front and hearing "people crying, screaming", some suffering broken legs. "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.

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(Sky News)

"Yesterday I was pretty, like, shocked," said passenger Brett Bryatt. "This morning, it feels surreal, and I think I've moved into the stage of anger now. I'm feeling pretty angry."

He said around 90 per cent in his carriage suffered "either a serious wound that was bleeding profusely, or a situation where they couldn't stand, or couldn't move their neck", adding that he "saw a woman's snapped leg". A huge emergency response to the crash included multiple air ambulance helicopters and road vehicles. Online train trackers show the rolling stock involved in the crash, which occurred just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6, were a class 360 and class 810.

EMR trains between Bedford and London St Pancras have been suspended until at least Monday.

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89 people were injured in the crash (Reuters)

What caused the crash?

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch and East Midlands Railway (EMR) are investigating the cause, with an official explanation yet to be released. But Simon Calder, transport expert and The Independent's former travel correspondent, reported the trains crashed as a result of a technical fault on the rail lines.

The train in front, which was running late on its way south to London, had come to a halt "because of a problem with the automatic warning system which warns train drivers if there is a red signal ahead", he told Sky News. Rail journalist Tony Miles said to the BBC that several questions needed answering. "Were the signals showing red and the train went past them or were the signals showing that the line was clear and, if so, how were they able to know when the train in front was stopped?" he told the BBC. He said the investigators would "already know" what happened die to airline-style black box recorders on the trains.

While the driver was travelling to sort this out, the 16:40pm from Corby was on the same southbound line and collided with the stationary train.

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A Crime Scene Manager from the British Transport Police photographs the inside of an trackside Location Case (LOC), commonly used to house signalling equipment (AFP/Getty)

"The pictures we are seeing are just shocking for the train to have struck with such force that we had a derailment is really worrying," Mr Calder added. "Of course, railways are in general extremely safe... but if you are involved in an accident where you were previously travelling quickly and suddenly come to a halt then that is, I'm so sorry to say, going to involve some serious injuries."

What has the reaction been?

King Charles said he was "greatly saddened" by the incident and is being kept regularly updated on developments. "His thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the deceased and with all those injured or affected by such a tragic incident," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.

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The incident took place just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6 in Bedford South (PA)

In a statement on X, Sir Keir Starmer added: "Hugely concerning reports of a collision involving two passenger trains near Bedford. "First and foremost, my thoughts are with the family of the person who has sadly lost their life, and with those who have been seriously injured.

"I am grateful to the emergency services for their swift response to this tragic incident." Other ministers and local politicians have said the crash is "very concerning" as they shared their condolences to those affected. Secretary of state for transport Heidi Alexander issued a statement in immediate aftermath of the crash.

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Police block a road that gives access into an area near the scene of a collision involving two trains near Bedford, Britain (Reuters)

"I'm deeply concerned to hear reports of the collision involving 2 East Midlands Railway passenger trains," she said.

"I'm grateful to emergency services who are on the scene, attending to those affected.

"We're working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to support passengers."

References

1. ^ train crash in Bedfordshire (www.independent.co.uk)
2. ^ Corby (www.independent.co.uk)
3. ^ London St Pancras. (www.independent.co.uk)
4. ^ King Charles and (www.independent.co.uk)