British Transport Police have announced the death of one person as well as ‘a number’ of injured after two East Midlands Tran services collided near Bedford this afternoon
A person has died and as many as 50 have been injured after two trains collided in near Bedford.
Passengers have sustained serious injuries after two trains crashed into each other on Friday afternoon. It’s reported at least 50 casualties are expected at hospitals in the area. British Transport Police released an update saying “a number of people have been injured and one person has very sadly died.”
Videos from the scene taken by passengers show two East Midlands Trains services that have collided. The shocking videos reveal injured passengers covered in blood on the train’s floor. All lines are blocked between Luton and Bedford.
The incident happened at around 5.15pm, involving the East Midlands Railway 3.50pm service from Nottingham to St Pancras International and the 4.40pm Corby to St Pancras services. It’s believed the Corby train may have run into the back of the Nottingham train about 2½ miles south of Bedford station, according to train-tracking websites.
Pictures show the rear driver’s compartment of the front train mangled with the door hanging off. It’s unclear how many people have been injured or the extent of their injuries at the moment. Health Secretary James Murray said a number of people had been injured.
The full statement from the British Transport Police reads: “Officers are continuing to respond to a collision between two trains on the line in Bedford, following reports around 5.15pm today (19 June).
“We know that a number of people have been injured and one person has very sadly died. 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.”
Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy added: “We’ve declared a major incident and a significant emergency service response is ongoing. We’re working at pace to establish exactly what’s happened and will provide further information as soon as we are able to”.
“‘Officers from British Transport Police and Bedfordshire Police are on scene with colleagues from the local authority to assist any members of the public concerned about loved ones.'”
Dr Pete Knapp, who was on one of the trains, 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.
“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 added: “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.” He said he had not felt the train slow down before the crash, but other passengers told him they had.
He told PA he saw people with “life-threatening, major injuries, minor injuries” as well as “people with bandages, people who couldn’t see straight”, while others like him were still able to walk. He said: “I’ve got blood all over my trousers and my back hurts like hell but I’m alright.”
A female passenger, who asked not to be named, told The Telegraph: “It feels like the carriage that we were in was picked up and shaken like dice, basically.”
She said that after attending the Nevill Holt festival in Market Harborough, “a few of us left early to get home to our kids on an earlier train” and were aboard the Luton Airport Express when it came to a stop. She added: “And then there was a big bang, and then a grinding, shaking, juddering, where panels from the ceiling fell off, seats fell down, people fell out of seats, suitcases fell from the top racks onto people who were on the floor of the train.
“When the movement stopped, it seemed like it was hard to tell which way was up. It was very disorientating, and when the movement stopped, we could clearly see that our carriage, which was the second carriage from the front, had derailed.
“Someone was unconscious on the ground… there was one woman by herself who had a broken cheekbone. There were people who were bleeding heavily. There were people who were stretchered out.”
Dozens of police cars and emergency vehicles responded to the scene on mass to ensure everyone got the help they needed. People have been asked not to attend local hospitals as medical staff help treat those injured.
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