Fatal Train Collision Declared Major Incident
A train driver has died and 89 people have been injured following a collision between two trains in the Bedford area, prompting police to declare a major incident.
The East of England Ambulance Service reported that 11 individuals sustained very serious injuries, 22 were seriously injured, and 56 suffered minor injuries.
Details of the Incident
The accident involved two southbound East Midlands Railway (EMR) services, both en route to London St Pancras on Friday afternoon. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey expressed the union's sorrow over the loss, stating the driver was a former RMT representative.
"We are devastated to learn that a train driver and former RMT rep has tragically died"
British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed the major incident declaration following the collision, which occurred at approximately 17:15 BST.
"We know that a number of people have been injured and one person has very sadly died"
Eyewitness Accounts
Passenger Dr Peter Knapp described his experience on the train that collided.
"I was travelling in the front carriage of the train that collided into another one. When I got up, I saw all of the chairs everywhere. It felt like I'd been in a bomb explosion. When I got up, I saw people's bloodied faces and people's legs looked broken and there was smoke everywhere."
Knapp added that police were collecting passenger details while some victims were transported to hospital.
"Some people are spitting out blood"
Another passenger, Shola Mene, recounted hearing a loud impact and the ensuing chaos.
"I heard a big bang. People flew from their seats, the seats were pulling, and then someone just flew across and hit my husband in the face. There was a lot of blood. A lot of people had facial injuries."
Mene noted that confusion prevailed immediately after the collision.
Emergency Response and Location
An air ambulance was dispatched as part of the emergency response. The collision occurred just south of Elstow, near the A421 and A6 road interchange.
Aerial footage showed the two damaged trains, with most carriages remaining on the tracks, although at least one was shunted off.
The trains involved were identified as the 16:40 EMR service from Corby to London St Pancras and the 15:50 Nottingham to London St Pancras service at Bedford South, according to an EMR spokesperson.
Passenger Experiences
Teresa Itabor from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, shared her experience with the BBC. She boarded the train at 16:57 and was traveling to London to celebrate her birthday.
"We left Bedford station and there was a massive bang... I didn't know what was going on. My head hit the seat in front of me. I opened my eyes and that's when I saw people on the floor with blood everywhere."
Union Response
A spokesperson for the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers expressed concern over the collision and the injuries sustained by staff and passengers.
"We are deeply concerned by reports of a train collision between Bedford and Luton and the serious injuries sustained by on-board train staff and passengers. The thoughts of the whole union are with those affected and we continue to monitor the situation."
