Bedford train crash disruption to last until Thursday
BBC News 2026-06-21 11:20:14
Context: A fatal train crash occurred near Bedford on Friday at 17:15 BST, involving two East Midlands Railway services to London St Pancras, resulting in the death of a train driver and injuring around 100 people. The incident has led to significant disruptions to train services between London and Bedford, with Network Rail warning that the disruptions are expected to continue until Thursday. Passengers have described the collision as "bewildering and frightening".
Key Facts
- A train driver was killed and approximately 100 people were injured when two East Midlands Railway services to London St Pancras collided near Bedford at 17:15 BST on Friday.
- Police reported that 28 people remained in hospital, including nine in a critical condition, as of the time of the incident.
- Network Rail's East Midlands route director, Mark Budden, stated that the railway will provide updates on when services can resume once there is a clearer understanding of the recovery work required and when the railway can safely reopen.
- The crash was declared a major incident by the British Transport Police on Friday, with EMR services to and from London St Pancras suspended over the weekend and Thameslink urging passengers to travel only if essential.
- Passengers on board the trains described the collision as "bewildering and frightening", with some reporting seeing "people's bloodied faces, people's legs looked broken, and there was smoke everywhere".