Bedford train crash survivors relive moment of horror impact | UK | News
A Bedford train crash survivor has relived the moment two trains collided and described a “huge crash”, the cabin door shattering and objects “flying” everywhere. Simon Bentley and his wife were sailing from Kettering. London When is the East Midlands Railway (EMR) service crashed into the back of another train On the same line shortly after 5pm on Friday, June 19th.
A. train According to British Transport Police, the driver died and 33 people were taken to hospital with serious injuries. Mr Bentley said: BBC: “According to me [we are] I’m actually very relieved that we’re both still here. “We are very lucky and of course very sorry for what happened to the driver.”
He described how the train he was on braked “really hard”, followed by a “massive impact” and objects were “flying everywhere”.
Paul Cavin told the broadcaster it was “pretty bad” his train stopped and he was then shot from behind. He described walking away injured, “crushed pretty badly” behind the train’s driver’s cabin and with his “nose torn off”.
56 people were slightly injured in the accident. Bedford Hospital and University Hospital Luton and Dunstable have urged people not to go to A&E departments unless it is a genuine medical emergency.
Passenger Brett Byatt said he was among three or four people in his carriage who were not injured. “Everyone had either a serious wound that was bleeding profusely or something where they couldn’t stand or move their neck. I saw one woman’s leg break.”
The trains in question were those departing from Corby at 16.40 and from Nottingham to London St Pancras at 15.50.
A team of Railway Accidents Investigation Branch inspectors started working at the scene to collect evidence.
Network Rail said on Saturday morning it was deeply saddened by the tragic death of a railway worker following the accident.
A spokesman said: “Our thoughts are with their families, friends, colleagues and everyone else affected.
“Our teams are working closely with emergency services and industry partners on the ground. We would like to thank emergency services and the wider railway family for their professionalism and rapid response. In the meantime, we would ask passengers to please check before travelling.”
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”.
Buckingham Palace said King Charles was “deeply saddened” and was kept regularly informed of developments. The Palace added: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the deceased and everyone injured or affected by such a tragic event.”
