Twenty eight people remain in hospital, nine of them in a critical condition, after two trains collided near Bedford, police have said.
The crash, which killed a train driver, and injured 100 others, involved two East Midlands Railway (EMR) services, with one smashing into the back of the other on the same line shortly after 5pm on Friday.
Emergency services responded on Friday afternoon to reports of a crash involving two trains on the line between Bedford and Luton. Shortly before 9.30pm British Transport Police confirmed that there had been a fatality.
Speaking at a press conference near the scene on Saturday, British Transport Police Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said: “Tragically, the driver of one of the trains died in the collision.
“His family have been informed and our deepest condolences are with them, his friends, and his colleagues at East Midlands Railway.
“The driver’s family, as you would expect, are being supported by specially trained officers at this difficult time.
“Over 80 people were treated at hospital last night. As of this morning, 28 remain in hospital, and nine are in a critical condition.”
The collision left 11 people with very serious injuries, 22 seriously injured and 56 with minor injuries, according to the East of England Ambulance Service.
Witnesses described “crying and screaming” as passengers stumbled out of the carriage doors.
One of the survivors on the train heading from Nottingham to St Pancras described the "almighty impact" he and his wife felt during the collision.
Simon Bentley was travelling with his wife from Kettering to London when he felt the train brake "really hard, which seemed odd".
He told the BBC: "I think [we're] actually just really relieved that we're both still here. We're very lucky and obviously very, very sad about what's happened to the driver."
He added that one of the cabin doors smashed after the impact and objects were "everywhere all flying around".
Another eyewitness Brett Byatt said passengers "went flying into one another" while he was one of just handful in his carriage left uninjured.
He recalled hearing a "boom" shortly before "shrieks and groans of pain", while one woman's leg was "completely snapped".
Mr Byatt said: "Everyone else had either a serious wound that was bleeding profusely, or a situation where they couldn’t stand or couldn’t move their neck."
Another eyewitness Peter Knapp, who was in the front carriage of one of the trains involved in the collision, said he saw people with “life-threatening, major and minor injuries”.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
#BREAKING Major Train Incident in England.
— Tony Perez (@Tony_MNNews) June 19, 2026
A mass response of first responders from all over the Bedford area after two trains collided.
Multiple air ambulance’s have been dispatched to the scene. Injuries are reported and are unknown of how many. pic.twitter.com/1BTzsUf03V
He said he had not felt the train slow down before the crash, but other passengers told him they had.
He said: “I’ve got blood all over my trousers and my back hurts like hell but I’m alright.”
Footage from the scene shows the scale of the emergency response, with ambulances and police vehicles lining the railway.
Dazed passengers were seen gathering around ambulances, some covered in blood, as many awaited transfer to hospital.
Others were pictured sitting on the ground against emergency vehicles, with bandages wrapped around their heads.
Around 30 ambulances are said to have raced to the scene and several air ambulances were dispatched.
🚨 WATCH: Aerial footage of the scene of the train crash south of Bedford via Sky News pic.twitter.com/gskUtxokzC
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) June 19, 2026
Staff from several departments at the hospital were asked to come in to help, with some being warned of severe injuries.
The East of England Ambulance Service sent "a number of resources" to the scene, including an air ambulance.
The air ambulance has been tracked on Flightradar24 operating south of Bedford.
A Hazardous Area Response Team has also been deployed, with the ambulance service urging people to avoid the area.
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.”
Relatives and friends of the passengers injured in a collision between two trains near Bedford have been asked not to travel to the scene.
I’m deeply concerned to hear reports of the collision involving 2 East Midlands Railway passenger trains.
— Heidi Alexander MP (@Heidi_Labour) June 19, 2026
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.
Trains will not run between St Pancras and Bedford for the rest of the weekend. Passengers are advised to use alternative routes.
The King is “greatly saddened” by the rail crash and is being kept regularly updated on developments and “his thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the deceased and with all those injured or affected by such a tragic incident”, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.
Prime Minister 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.”
An RMT spokesperson said: “We are deeply concerned by reports of a train collision between Bedford and Luton and the serious injuries sustained by on-board train staff and passengers.
“The thoughts of the whole union are with those affected and we continue to monitor the situation.”
Dave Calfe, general secretary of Aslef, the train drivers’ union, said: “We are deeply concerned by reports of a collision between two trains near Bedford. Our thoughts at this moment are with all the staff and passengers on board. Thank you to the emergency services for their ongoing work responding to this incident.”
Transport Salaried Staffs Association General Secretary, Maryam Eslamdoust said: “Safety on our railways is always our number one priority and it’s devastating to hear of the collision of these two East Midlands Railway trains.
#BREAKING Major Train Incident in England.
— Tony Perez (@Tony_MNNews) June 19, 2026
Aerial video shows the scene where two trains collided with each other just south of Bedford, England.
50+ have been reported injured and fatalities are reported. Air ambulance’s continue to land and leave from the scene. pic.twitter.com/IdwyS9hYzO
“It’s vital now to let the emergency services do their work.
“The thoughts of the entire union are with the passengers and staff and emergency service workers on the trains involved. We send them all our solidarity.”
The train crash is “clearly a distressing situation for many people across our community”, the town’s mayor has said.
Bedford mayor Tom Wootton said in a post on Facebook: “I am deeply concerned by reports of the train collision near Bedford this evening.
“My thoughts are first and foremost with everyone involved, particularly those who have been injured, their families and loved ones. I would also like to thank the emergency services, NHS staff, railway personnel and all those responding to this incident for their swift and professional actions under very difficult circumstances.
“I am in contact with relevant agencies and receiving updates as the situation develops. Bedford Borough Council stands ready to provide whatever support may be required as emergency responders continue their work.
“This is clearly a distressing situation for many people across our community. At this stage, it is important that we allow the emergency services and railway authorities the space they need to deal with the incident and establish the full facts.
“Bedford is a strong community, and when difficult events occur, we come together to support one another. We will continue to work closely with our partners and will do all we can to assist those affected. I will share further information when it becomes available through the appropriate official channels.”
