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A collision between two trains in the Bedford area has resulted in the death of a train driver and left 89 people injured, prompting authorities to declare a major incident. The East of England Ambulance Service reported that among those hurt, eleven sustained very serious injuries, 22 were categorized as seriously injured, and 56 suffered minor injuries. The crash occurred on two southbound East Midlands Railway (EMR) services en route to London St Pancras on Friday afternoon. The precise cause is yet to be determined and remains under investigation.
The general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT), Eddie Dempsey, expressed the union’s grief over the incident, stating that they were “devastated to learn that a train driver and former RMT rep has tragically died” during the accident. The British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed the major incident declaration and acknowledged that multiple people had been hurt and one person had died. Following the collision, EMR suspended its services to and from London St Pancras for the remainder of Friday evening, with disruptions expected to continue through Saturday.
Passengers who experienced the crash shared harrowing accounts of the event. Dr. Peter Knapp, who was seated in the leading carriage of one of the trains, described the aftermath as feeling “like I’d been in a bomb explosion,” noting the widespread destruction and visible injuries around him, including broken limbs and bloodied faces. Another passenger, Shola Mene, recalled hearing a “big bang” causing people to be thrown from their seats, with some suffering facial injuries and “a lot of blood.” The chaotic scene continued as police gathered passenger details at the roadside, while some individuals required hospitalization.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander voiced her concern about the tragedy, extending her thoughts to those injured and their families. She emphasized that it was premature to speculate on the cause but committed to a thorough investigation to prevent future incidents. Alexander remarked, “The UK railways are some of the safest in the world,” highlighting the unusual nature of such an accident. Emergency response included the deployment of an air ambulance. The collision happened just south of Elstow, near the A421 and A6 road interchange. Affected trains included the 16:40 service from Corby to London St Pancras and the 15:50 Nottingham to London St Pancras service, according to EMR. Passengers have been advised to seek alternative travel routes until disruptions ease, with tickets valid on these other services at no additional charge
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