A witness described how people were “picked up and shaken like dice” following a train crash that killed a driver and injured more than 80 people near Bedford on Friday.
Paramedics said one person died, 11 people suffered “very serious” injuries while 22 suffered “serious” injuries, and a further 56 were hurt during the collision at around 5.15pm.
Hospitals in the area declared a major incident as members of the public were urged to stay away from A&E departments unless they had a “genuine emergency” to allow doctors to respond.
The two East Midlands Railway (EMR) services involved were the 4.40pm from Corby to London St Pancras and the 3.50pm Nottingham to London St Pancras, the rail operator said.
Aerial footage of the aftermath showed two damaged trains with most carriages on the tracks but at least one shunted off. A long line of emergency vehicles could also be seen on a rural road as emergency crews and passengers gathered in the neighbouring field.
Eyewitness, Dr Pete Knapp, 40, described the moment he was “flung” into a chair as the two trains collided. He said: “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.
“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.”
Dr Knapp said he had not felt the train slow down before the crash, but other passengers told him they had.
He said he 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.
Dr Knapp added: “I’ve got blood all over my trousers and my back hurts like hell but I’m alright.”
A passenger on one of the trains told the Telegraph “we were picked up and shaken like dice” when the crash happened, and said there “must have been 100 ambulances and police cars and fire trucks” at the scene.
She added that panels had fallen from the ceiling, people fell out of seats and suitcases fell from the top racks onto people who were on the floor.
She continued: “One of our party said, ‘I think I’ve broken my arm’, and she had her arm in a sling that she made out of a cardigan. A lot of lacerations, contusions, very disorientated people. Everyone is shaken up. The women that I’m with, we all have headaches from it.”
People have been urged to avoid the area.
The collision happened just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6 and British Transport Police have asked relatives and friends of passengers not to travel to the scene.
Serious injuries have reportedly been sustained by on-board staff and passengers, a Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union spokesperson said.
One passenger said he was on the southbound train travelling to London St Pancras when it crashed at 5.12pm leaving the “front of train OK, third carriage off rails.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was “deeply concerned” by the reports.
In a post on X, she said: “I’m deeply concerned to hear reports of the collision involving 2 East Midlands Railway passenger trains.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Eddie Dempsey, the general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), confirmed the person killed in the train crash near Bedford was the driver of one of the trains.
He said: “We are devastated to learn that a train driver and former RMT rep has tragically died as a result of today’s crash between Luton and Bedford. The thoughts of RMT are with their family, friends, colleagues and the Aslef trade union at this awful time.”
Bedford and Kempston MP Mohammad Yasin said he was “very sorry” to hear of the incident and would share more information “soon”.
British Transport Police said shortly before 9pm: “Officers are continuing to respond to a collision between two trains on the line in Bedford, following reports around 5.15pm today (19 June).
“We know that a number of people have been injured and one person has very sadly died.
“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 collision involved two East Midlands Railway trains.”
Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy said: "We've declared a major incident and a significant emergency service response is ongoing. We're working at pace to establish exactly what's happened and will provide further information as soon as we are able to".
“Officers from British Transport Police and Bedfordshire Police are on scene with colleagues from the local authority to assist any members of the public concerned about loved ones.”
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