The fatal train crash near Bedford was a “tragic, isolated incident”, Network Rail has said, as it announced that rail services will be disrupted until June 28 while a “complex recovery operation” to remove the damaged trains and carriages from the track continued.
The collision, which killed a train driver and left 100 others injured, 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.
On Sunday, Network Rail said a “complex recovery operation” to remove the damaged trains and carriages from the railway had begun.
Engineers will then need to assess the damage and complete repairs.
Rail passengers have been warned to expect disruption to services to and from Bedford for another week, and were urged to only travel if it is “absolutely necessary”.
There will be no services north of Luton on the busy commuter Thameslink line and no EMR services south of Bedford, with a limited rail replacement bus service running between Luton and Bedford, Network Rail said.
British Transport Police said more than 80 people were treated in hospital on Friday night, and as of Saturday morning 28 remained in hospital, with nine in a critical condition.
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 said.
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail Eastern regional managing director, said: “While investigations are still at an early stage, current indications are that this was a tragic, isolated incident.
“We are focused on the safe reopening of the railway and getting services running as quickly as possible.
“During this time, our message to passengers is clear – please expect disruption to services through this area for the majority of next week and only travel if absolutely necessary.”
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said on Saturday 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.”
As part of recovery work, the overhead wires which provide power to electric trains will be removed and a temporary access road will be built for a crane to get close to the railway line.
Two 110-tonne Kirow cranes on the track will then lift the trains and carriages from the line, then a road crane will move them on to a trailer to be taken away by road, before engineers inspect the railway.
This work is expected to take days, during which time no EMR services will run between Bedford and London St Pancras.
Trains that usually start and terminate at London St Pancras will start and terminate at Bedford instead, and there will be a reduced service on some other lines.
From Monday, north of London St Pancras towards Bedford, Thameslink will run a limited service as far as Luton only.
The front of the 4.40pm Friday 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.”
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.
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