Bedford train crash survivor: 90% of people on my carriage were injured

First-hand account of Bedford train crash

Brett Byatt, a teacher from Bedford, was on the East Midlands Railway (EMR) service that rammed into a slower train on Friday evening. Speaking to BBC's Today programme, he said the train was not at full speed and the collision occurred only five minutes into the journey.

Byatt described how first-class passengers sustained stomach and rib injuries after hitting tables, and noted that the EMR seat layout—three-by-three and two-by-three facing each other—was likely the worst possible design for a crash. Passengers flew into each other, seats broke backwards, injuring those behind.

"I'd probably say from three to four of us were uninjured in a full carriage; everyone else had either a serious wound that was bleeding profusely, or a situation where they couldn't stand, or they couldn't move their neck, and I saw a woman snap her leg," Byatt said.

Immediately after the collision, Byatt and other passengers administered first aid until emergency services arrived 10 minutes later. He believes he was unhurt because he was standing near the doors, clutching a stanchion.

Reactions and investigation

Prominent railway journalist Tony Miles told Today that the train is equipped with a black box that records data, and the signal system has a data recorder providing second-by-second information on controls and switches activated.

Eddie Dempsey, general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), expressed devastation over the death of the driver, a former RMT rep, and offered condolences. Dave Calfe, general secretary of the train drivers' union Aslef, thanked emergency services for their quick response.

A team from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch has arrived at the site to gather evidence.