One person was killed and several others were injured after two passenger trains collided near Bedford, north of London, on Friday, according to British Transport Police.
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“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 in an update late Friday.
“We know that a number of people have been injured and one person has very sadly died,” it added, as cited by AP.
The ambulance service said 11 people sustained very serious injuries, while 22 others were seriously injured. A further 56 people suffered minor injuries, as cited by the BBC.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue crews were dispatched to the scene after the incident was reported at about 6:45 pm (local time), while authorities said further details would be released as information becomes available.
The collision, which has reportedly left several people injured, has also disrupted the evening commute, with rail services suspended between Luton and Bedford, according to Thameslink.
The East of England Ambulance Service said it had deployed “a number of resources” to the scene, including an air ambulance.
A spokesperson said a Hazardous Area Response Team had also been dispatched and urged people to avoid the area, as cited by the BBC.
A spokesperson for the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers said the union was “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,” the spokesperson added, as cited by the BBC.
