Driver dies, 89 hurt in Bedford train collision

Two passenger trains collided near Bedford on Friday evening, killing one driver and injuring 89 people.

The crash occurred shortly after 17:00 BST between two East Midlands Railway services just south of the Elstow interchange. British Transport Police confirmed the death shortly before 21:00 BST and declared a major incident.

The East of England Ambulance Service reported 11 people with very serious injuries, 22 with serious injuries and 56 with minor injuries.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the reports "hugely concerning" and said his thoughts were with the family of the person who died and with those seriously injured.

A passenger on one of the trains told the BBC the collision happened at 17:12 BST. Another passenger, Peter Knapp, said he felt "like I'd been in a bomb explosion" and described seeing bloodied faces, people with what appeared to be broken legs, and smoke everywhere.

Shola Mene said people flew out of their seats and that there was "a lot of blood" and many facial injuries.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers said the dead driver was a former union representative. General secretary Eddie Dempsey said the union was "devastated" and that its thoughts were with the driver's family, friends, colleagues and the ASLEF union.

East Midlands Railway confirmed the trains involved were the 16:40 service from Corby to London St Pancras and the 15:50 service from Nottingham to London St Pancras. The company said it was working with Network Rail and emergency services at the scene.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch said a team of inspectors was on site near Elstow gathering evidence.

British Transport Police said officers were responding alongside Bedfordshire Police, the fire service and ambulance crews. Bedford Hospital and Luton and Dunstable University Hospital asked the public to avoid their emergency departments unless facing a genuine medical emergency.

Bedford and Kempston MP Mohammad Yasin described the incident as "very serious" and "really concerning." Health Secretary James Murray said he was being kept updated and thanked first responders.