A train driver has died and 89 people have been injured after two trains collided near Bedford.
The horror crash left 11 people with very serious injuries, 22 seriously injured and 56 with minor injuries, the East of England Ambulance Service said this evening.
Footage taken by passengers revealed the graphic fallout following two East Midlands Railway (EMR) services smashing into each other on the tracks.
"We are devastated to learn that a train driver and former RMT rep has tragically died as a result of today’s crash between Luton and Bedford," Eddie Dempsey, the General Secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, said.
"The thoughts of RMT are with their family, friends, colleagues and the ASLEF trade union at this awful time."
Earlier today, British Transport Police confirmed that a number of people were injured as well.
"A major incident has been declared, and officers are continuing to respond at the scene alongside colleagues from Bedfordshire Police and the local Fire and Rescue and Ambulance Services," the force said.
Aerial footage from earlier today shows two damaged trains, with one carriage pushed off the tracks.
More than 30 emergency vehicles attended the crash after EMR confirmed frontline workers were handling an incident between London St Pancras and Leicester.
Five air ambulance helicopters are in attendance at the major incident, alongside the Hazardous Area Response Team.
The Bedford crash will mark one of the most significant train crashes of the past decade in Britain. Back in August 2020, the Stonehaven derailment left three dead and six injured after a passenger train hit a landslip in Aberdeenshire.
Friends and relatives of those affected today have been instructed to not travel to the scene of the crash, Bedfordshire Police said.
The first train is believed to have ground to a halt, citing a safety system fault, after which the second train rammed into the back of the train.
At least one is a Luton Airport Express train. EMR trains are "unable to run in or out of" London St Pancras for the remainder of the day.
The collision took place south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6.
Bedford Hospital is currently expecting at least 50 casualties as medics ordered "all hands on deck", it is understood.
Senior staff have called for juniors to come into work to help out with those injured, while several deaths are also expected.
The public around the area have been instructed to avoid attending A&E at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital unless there is a genuine emergency, the hospital said.
One eyewitness told the BBC: "When I got up, I saw all the chairs everywhere. It felt like I had been in a bomb explosion. I saw people's bloodied face, legs looks broken... some people spitting out blood."
Bedford Hospital is expecting at least 50 casualties
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A Corby train is believed to have "ran into the back of a Nottingham train" at around 5.15pm.
It involved the EMR 3.50pm service from Nottingham to St Pancras International and the 4.40pm Corby to St Pancras services, The Telegraph reports.
The crash has impacted surrounding services, with Thameslink warning commuters of blocked lines between Luton and Bedford "due to a problem under investigation".
Pete Knapp, 40, recounted the crash, saying: "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.
"I got up and I saw a lot of people who were unable to speak, had broken legs, and then I managed to get out of the train and because I’m quite thin I was able to squeeze out through the gap in the doors."
He continued: "My first thought was I needed to get out of the train just in case it was a terrorist explosion, I thought it was safer to get off the train."
Mr Knapp said he saw passengers with "life-threatening, major injuries, minor injuries" and "people with bandages, people who couldn’t see straight".
He said: “I’ve got blood all over my trousers and my back hurts like hell but I’m alright.”
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Medics called for 'all hands on deck'
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"I’m ok with bloody legs and back impact. Others are not good. Sudden crash, no slowing down or horns. No warning. No explosion, just stopped instantly."
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue has confirmed the incident took place on the railway "just south of Bedford", instructing travellers to "please avoid the area".
Meanwhile, the British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed that they were responding to reports of a collision involving two trains in the Bedford area.
In a statement, Sir Keir Starmer said: "Hugely concerning reports of a collision involving two passenger trains near Bedford.
"First and foremost, my thoughts are with the family of the person who has sadly lost their life, and with those who have been seriously injured. I am grateful to the emergency services for their swift response to this tragic incident."
Following the disaster, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "I'm deeply concerned to hear reports of the collision involving two EMR passenger trains.
"I'm grateful to emergency services who are on the scene, attending to those affected. We're working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to support passengers."
In a statement on social media, Health Secretary James Murray said: “I am being kept updated on the collision of two trains between Luton and Bedford.
“A number of people have been injured and I thank first responders who are helping those affected.”
An MP whose constituency sits near where the incident took place, Mohammad Yasin, said he was "very concerned" following the reports of the crash.
"At this stage, details are still emerging, and I would urge people not to speculate about what has happened," he commented.
"It is important that the emergency services are able to do their work and that the facts are properly established."
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