A train driver has died and 89 people have been injured after two trains collided near Bedford, with emergency services working into the night. Of those injured, 11 people suffered “very serious” injuries and 22 were seriously injured, according to the East of England Ambulance Service. A further 56 people had minor injuries and were treated at the scene or taken to hospital.
Details of the collision
The two East Midlands Railway services involved were the 4.40pm from Corby to St Pancras and the 3.50pm from Nottingham to London St Pancras, the rail operator confirmed. The collision occurred just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6. Air ambulance helicopters were on the ground, and members of the public were advised to avoid local hospital emergency departments unless suffering a genuine emergency.
Eddie Dempsey, general secretary of the RMT union, said: “We are devastated to learn that a train driver and former RMT rep has tragically died as a result of today’s crash between Luton and Bedford. The thoughts of RMT are with their family, friends, colleagues and the ASLEF trade union at this awful time.”
Impact and response
East Midlands Railway services to and from London St Pancras were suspended for the rest of the night. Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X: “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.”
Dr Peter Knapp, a passenger in the front carriage of one of the trains, described the impact: “There was no indication of any collision, no screeching of wheels, nor sirens or alarms. Suddenly there was an impact. I thought it was a bomb, I saw a lot of smoke and people on the floor, bloodied faces. A lot of people crying and screaming.” Knapp, 40, sustained shin injuries from the chair in front and added: “My two shins have got gouges in them from the chair in front. I’ve got blood all over my trousers and my back hurts like hell but I’m all right.”
Investigation underway
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch said a team of inspectors was at the scene to start gathering evidence. The Bedford and Kempston MP, Mohammad Yasin, expressed his sorrow. One of the trains involved was the new East Midlands Railway Aurora, which entered service last year. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Deeply saddened to hear one person has died and a number of people injured in the awful train collision near Bedford. Our thoughts are with their loved ones and everyone affected. Emergency services remain on scene. Police have declared a major incident and Rail Accident Investigation Branch inspectors are on site. A full investigation will take place.”
Context and significance
This is the first fatal collision between two passenger trains on a British mainline this century, with what appears in early reports to involve the highest number of serious injuries in any UK rail accident in two decades. Two other collisions have occurred in recent years: a head-on crash on a single-track line in Talerddig, Powys in 2024 that killed one person, and a crash between two trains near Salisbury in 2021. Accident investigators will examine why one train halted and the other failed to stop, given the safety systems implemented after crashes in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
