Train drivers’ union issues heartbreaking update after Bedford crash | UK | News
A train driver was killed and dozens more seriously injured when two passenger trains collided near Bedford, the ambulance service said. (Image: Jamie Lashmar/PA)
A train driver died and dozens of people were seriously injured when two passenger trains collided near Bedford.
The incident involved two East Midlands Railway (EMR) services on the same line shortly after 5pm on Friday.
A passenger on one of the trains reported being “thrown into the chair in front and then I saw smoke.”
The East of England Ambulance Service said one train driver was killed, 11 people were “very seriously” injured and 22 people were seriously injured.
Emergency vehicles on Ampthill Road in Bedford (Image: Jordan Reynolds/PA)
Currently, all patients in serious condition have been hospitalized.
Another 56 people suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene or in hospital.
Most of the cars of the two southbound trains remained on the tracks, but at least one derailed.
The two trains involved were leaving Corby at 4.40pm and Nottingham for London St Pancras at 3.50pm.
Passenger Pete Knapp described people “crying, screaming” and said some appeared to be seriously injured.
I am constantly informed of a collision between two trains between Luton and Bedford. Many people were injured and I thank the first responders who helped those affected.
@EastEnglandAmb is working with emergency services to support passengers who need further care. https://t.co/hlyeqqNhAW
— James Murray (@jamesmurray_ldn) June 19, 2026
The 40-year-old journalist told the Press Association: “One moment I was thrown into the front chair, then I saw smoke. “People were crying, screaming, people were very scared and confused.
“I stood up and saw many people who couldn’t speak and whose legs were broken, then I managed to get out of the train and because I was quite weak I managed to get out through the gap in the doors.”
Dr Knapp said he had seen people with “life-threatening injuries, serious injuries, minor injuries” as well as “people with bandages, people who couldn’t see properly”, while others like him were still able to walk.
He said: “There’s blood all over my trousers and my back hurts like hell but I’m fine.”
He said he did not feel the train slowing down before the accident, but other passengers said they did.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the crash as “extremely worrying” and said he was “grateful to the emergency services for their rapid response to this tragic incident”.
Air ambulance helicopters were on the ground following the collision, which occurred just south of the Elstow junction between the A421 and the A6.
A long queue of emergency vehicles formed on a rural road as emergency crews and passengers gathered in a neighboring area.
The public was asked to stay away from the scene of the accident, while Bedford Hospital, Luton and Dunstable University Hospital responded to the incident and asked people not to go to their emergency departments “unless it was a genuine medical emergency”.
Police closed the road in Bedford (Image: Jordan Reynolds/PA)
EMR trains to and from London were stopped for the remainder of the day.
Online train trackers indicate that the rolling stock involved in the accident were class 360 and 810, with the front of the former hitting the rear of the latter.
EMR began shipping class 810s in December last year; Class 360s are at least 20 years old.
A spokesman for Network Rail, which manages Britain’s rail infrastructure, said: “We support the efforts of emergency services at the scene and our thoughts are with everyone involved.”
Meanwhile, National Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union (RMT) general secretary Eddie Dempsey confirmed that the person killed in the train crash near Bedford was the driver of one of the trains.
He said: “We are deeply saddened to learn that a train driver and former RMT representative has tragically died as a result of today’s accident between Luton and Bedford. The RMT’s thoughts are with their families, friends, colleagues and the Aslef union at this terrible time.”
Dave Calfe, general secretary of train drivers union Aslef, said: “Our thoughts tonight are with the family and friends of the driver who died in the crash near Bedford today and the passengers injured in the crash.
“We would like to thank the emergency services who responded so quickly, assisted those on board and were still at the scene.”
A team of Rail Accident Investigation Branch investigators were at the scene to collect evidence.
The crash follows a collision between two trains in mid-Wales in October 2024, in which one passenger was killed and four others were seriously injured.
It was Britain’s first fatal crash involving more than one train in more than a quarter of a century.
