Bedford train crash latest: Driver killed and more than 80 injured after horror crash during rush hour – UK Times

A passenger on board said he was feeling “angry” the morning after the crash.

Brett Byatt told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Yesterday I was pretty, like, shocked.

“This morning, it feels surreal, and I think I’ve moved into the stage of anger now. I’m feeling pretty angry.”

He added: “I don’t know at whom, who specifically, but it’s more about we’ve got one of the oldest railway networks and signal failures happen a lot, and now I’m just wondering… why wasn’t that signalled to my train and why did that train driver lose his life over this?”

All East Midlands Railway lines will be closed on Saturday and Sunday due to pre-planned engineering work, the rail company has said.

“If you are due to travel today or tomorrow, please be aware that due to pre-planned engineering work, all lines are closed between Bedford and London St Pancras,” it said in a statement.

“Trains that usually start and terminate at London St Pancras will start and terminate at Bedford instead. EMR will be operating a planned, amended timetable as a result.”

Due to the crash on Friday there may be short-notice alterations to the engineering timetable, it added, advising passengers to check their journey on the National Rail website.

Police remained near the scene of a fatal train crash near Bedford last night.

The Ampthill Road is closed from the Interchange Retail Park roundabout to Manor Road in Kempston Hardwick.

A British Transport Police officer was standing by the road closure sign on the roundabout exit, to divert drivers.

A Rail Accidents Investigation Branch van and a Deutsche Bahn vehicle have been allowed to drive on to the closed road.

Overnight, East Midlands Railway published a statement confirming the death of one of its drivers.

Will Rogers, managing director for EMR, said the company is “deeply saddened to confirm that this incident has resulted in the fatality of an EMR Driver and a number of injuries to passengers on board”

He added: “Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of our colleague who has died, and with all those affected by this tragic event.”

The rail company is working with Network Rail and the emergency services to assist with the response and support those affected.

After this, it will assist an investigation by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch.

Locals brought snacks for dozens of people stuck on a train behind the two trains that crashed on Friday.

Footage shows the passengers walking up the closed rail line after leaving the stationary train.

“Thoughts are with everyone involved in the Bedford train collision today. I was on the train behind and stranded for hours,” wrote on passenger on X.

“Huge thanks to my partner and neighbours, who brought water and snacks for passengers when we stopped outside my house. Humanity at its best. “

If you’re just waking up, here’s everything we know about the Bedford train crash as of Saturday morning.

• Two East Midlands Railway (EMR) services suffered a fatal collision on Friday, with one smashing into the back of the other on the same line near Bedford, shortly after 5pm.
• A train driver was killed and dozens of others were seriously injured when two passenger trains collided near Bedford.
• East of England Ambulance Service has confirmed that 11 people suffered “very serious” injuries, 22 were seriously injured, and a further 56 people had minor injuries.
• Air ambulance helicopters attended the scene after the collision just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6.
• All patients with the most serious injuries have all now been taken to hospital. A further 56 people sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene or in hospital.
• The two trains involved were operating the 4.40pm departure from Corby and the 3.50pm departure from Nottingham, both to London St Pancras.
• 40-year-old passenger Pete Knapp said: “There was a moment of being flung into the chair in front, and then I saw smoke. People were crying, screaming, people were so scared and confused.”
• Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said the crash was “hugely concerning” and that he is “grateful to the emergency services for their swift response to this tragic incident”.

East of England Ambulance Service has confirmed that 11 people suffered “very serious” injuries, 22 were seriously injured, and a further 56 people had minor injuries.

In a statement, the service said: “The East of England Ambulance Service was called to a collision involving two trains at Elstow, near Bedford, at around 5:15pm.

“We quickly declared a Major Incident and put our emergency response plans into action.

“We sent a large number of resources to the scene, including more than 20 ambulances, specialist Hazardous Area Response Teams, and six air ambulances.

All patients with the most serious injuries have now been taken from the scene to hospital.

“Sadly, one person died at the scene. A further 11 people suffered very serious injuries, 22 were seriously injured, and a further 56 people had minor injuries. Those with minor injuries were treated at the scene or taken to hospital where needed.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and we thank all emergency service colleagues for their swift response.”