What we know so far about Bedford train crash
BBC News 2026-06-19 19:48:19
Context: Two passenger trains collided in the Bedford area on [unspecified date] at 17:12 BST, leaving a number of passengers and crew hurt. The crash occurred between two East Midlands Railway (EMR) services just south of Bedford, near the Elstow interchange. Emergency crews, including Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue and East of England Ambulance Service, responded to the scene.
Key Facts
- Two East Midlands Railway passenger trains collided at 17:12 BST near Bedford, involving the 16:40 EMR train from Corby to London St Pancras and the 15:50 Nottingham to London St Pancras.
- The collision resulted in a number of passengers and crew sustaining serious injuries, with reports of "bloodied faces", people with broken legs, and "smoke everywhere".
- Passenger Peter Knapp described the crash as feeling like a "bomb explosion" and saw injured passengers, while another passenger, Shola Mene, reported seeing people fly out of their seats and sustaining facial injuries.
- The Rail Accident Investigation branch sent a team of inspectors to the scene to gather evidence, and British Transport Police are responding to the incident, asking people not to travel to the scene.
- Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed concern over the reports of the collision, stating she was "deeply concerned" and grateful for the emergency services attending to those affected.