Experts are continuing to investigate a fatal train crash near Bedford in which 100 people were injured.
The collision, which killed a train driver and left nine in a critical condition in hospital, involved two East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains – with one smashing into the back of the other on the same line shortly after 5pm on Friday.
British Transport Police said more than 80 people were treated in hospital on Friday night, and as of Saturday morning 28 remained in hospital.
Of the 100 victims, 11 people were very seriously injured, a further 32 were seriously hurt, and 57 others suffered minor injuries, the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAS) said.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said on Saturday that its inspectors continued to gather evidence at the scene.
“RAIB will conduct a full, independent safety investigation into this tragic accident,” the agency said in a post on X.
“We will provide a further update in the coming days once we know more.”
Speaking at a press conference near the scene on Saturday, British Transport Police Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said: “There will be a lot of questions as to what exactly happened on (Friday) night.
“I would like to reassure everyone that specialist investigators from British Transport Police are working with colleagues at the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to gather the facts and determine what has happened.
“They are extremely experienced and I would ask that we all refrain from speculation.”
The front of the 4.40pm departure from Corby to London St Pancras was crushed when it crashed into the rear of the 3.50pm departure from Nottingham, to the same destination.
The Corby train also had damage to the rear of the carriages which had been shunted into ones in front.
Passenger Pete Knapp described people “crying, screaming” and said some seemed to have major injuries.
Dr Knapp told the Press Association: “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.”
The 40-year-old said 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.
Brett Byatt, another passenger on board, told the BBC he was among three or four people in his carriage who were not injured, adding: “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, or I saw a woman’s snapped leg.”
Mr Byatt, a teacher, who lives in Bedford, said he was feeling “angry” the morning after the collision.
“I don’t know at whom, who specifically, but it’s more about we’ve got one of the oldest railway networks and signal failures happen a lot, and now I’m just wondering… why wasn’t that signalled to my train and why did that train driver lose his life over this?” he said.
Buckingham Palace said the King was “greatly saddened” by the crash and that his “thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the deceased and with all those injured of affected by such a tragic incident”, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in a post on X that he had spoken with the chief executive of EEAS.
“I expressed my gratitude to the air ambulance crews, the emergency services who responded under extremely difficult circumstances, as well as the NHS staff taking care of the injured,” Sir Keir said.
Ampthill Road remained closed between the Interchange Retail Park roundabout and Manor Road in Kempston Hardwick all day on Saturday.
There was a huge emergency response to the crash, which happened just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6, with air ambulances and fire engines sent to the scene.
Network Rail said on Saturday that part of the East Midlands route remained closed as the emergency response continued and teams assessed damage to the trains and infrastructure.
The company said it would provide updates when it had a clearer understanding of the recovery work required and when services can safely reopen, adding that passengers should check with their train operator for the latest travel advice.
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