One dead, dozens injured in passenger train collision north of London
A collision between two passenger trains near Bedford, north of London, on Friday afternoon left one person dead and dozens injured, with eleven reported in very serious condition.
One person has died and dozens were injured, 11 of them very seriously, after two passenger trains collided north of London on Friday, UK emergency services said.
The crash occurred late afternoon near Bedford, about 90 kilometers north of the capital, involving two London-bound trains on the same track, according to East Midlands Railway (EMR). The East of England Ambulance Service confirmed one death at the scene, with 11 people suffering very serious injuries, 22 seriously injured, and 56 with minor injuries. Those with minor injuries were treated on site or taken to hospital as needed.
Passenger Pete Knapp, who was in the front carriage of one train, said he was thrown into the seat in front, then saw smoke and heard people crying and screaming. He posted images and video on social media, stating he was in shock with bloody legs and back impact. Another passenger, Teresa Itabor, told the BBC she heard a massive bang, hit her head on the seat in front, and upon opening her eyes saw people on the floor with blood everywhere.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the incident "hugely concerning" and expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and thoughts for the injured, thanking emergency services for their swift response. British Transport Police declared a major incident, with a multi-agency response ongoing. Ambulance services dispatched over 20 ambulances and six air ambulances, and all seriously injured patients have been taken to hospital.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch sent inspectors to the scene to gather evidence. Rail expert Tony Miles told Sky News it appeared to be a relatively slow-speed collision with minimal damage to trains, but cautioned that even low-speed collisions can be dangerous for passengers.
Fatal train accidents are relatively rare in Britain. In September 2023, two trains collided at Aviemore railway station in the Scottish Highlands, injuring several people. In August 2020, a train derailed near Stonehaven, Scotland, killing three and injuring six after a landslip caused by heavy rain.
