A train driver has died and 89 other people were injured after two passenger trains collided near Bedford on Friday evening, prompting a major emergency response and an investigation into one of the UK’s worst rail accidents in recent years.
The collision occurred at about 5:15pm on the railway line between Bedford and Luton after a Nottingham-to-London St Pancras service reportedly stopped because of a safety fault and was subsequently struck from behind by a Corby-to-London St Pancras train.
Emergency services declared a major incident as police, firefighters, paramedics and multiple air ambulances rushed to the scene. Authorities confirmed that one driver was killed in the crash, while dozens of passengers sustained injuries. Eleven people were reported to have suffered very serious injuries, with a total of 89 casualties treated. Passengers described scenes of chaos and devastation inside the carriages following the impact.
Brett Byatt, who was travelling on one of the trains, said: “I’d probably say 90% of the people on my carriage had injuries. Everyone else had either a serious wound that was bleeding profusely, or a situation where they couldn’t stand, or couldn’t move their neck.” He added that there was a loud “boom” before passengers were thrown into one another.
Another passenger, Teresa Itabor, who was travelling to London for her birthday, recalled: “We left Bedford station and there was a massive bang. I opened my eyes and that’s when I saw people on the floor with blood everywhere.” Pete Knapp described the aftermath as resembling “a bomb explosion”, saying he saw passengers with bloodied faces, apparent broken limbs and smoke inside the carriage.
Student Qunnie Wu said many passengers were seriously hurt, with some bleeding from their eyes, noses and mouths. “People were screaming and crying. They were screaming for help,” she said. Images and video from the scene showed damaged train carriages, injured passengers receiving treatment and emergency crews assisting those trapped or unable to move.
The train drivers’ union ASLEF confirmed that the driver who died was operating the 4:40pm Corby service. General Secretary Dave Calfe said the railway industry would be “feeling the sadness and sorrow” of the driver’s death. Investigators are working to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the crash. Preliminary reports indicate that the Nottingham service had stopped after developing a safety fault before it was struck by the following train.
Rail operators have urged passengers to avoid travelling on affected routes while recovery work and investigations continue. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased driver, while support is being provided to injured passengers and their families.