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Bedford collision kills driver
Two East Midlands Railway passenger trains collided near Bedford, England, at about 17:15 BST on Friday, killing a train driver and injuring 100 people, police and ambulance services said.
“Passenger train collision in England leaves 1 dead, dozens injured, officials say The crash occurred in the Bedford area, according to British Transport Police”
British Transport Police said the crash occurred just south of Elstow near the road interchange of the A421 and A6, and Chief Constable Lucy D'Orsi said BTP had declared a major incident.
East of England Ambulance Service confirmed 28 people remained in hospital as of Saturday, with nine in a critical condition, after sending more than 20 ambulances to the scene.
The BBC said the trains involved were the 16:40 EMR train from Corby and the 15:50 Nottingham to London St Pancras service, and it reported that EMR services to and from London St Pancras were suspended throughout the weekend.
Officials urge restraint, union mourns
Chief Constable Lucy D'Orsi told the public to refrain from speculating, saying specialist investigators from BTP were working with colleagues at the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to gather the facts and determine what had happened.
D'Orsi also said the force's deepest condolences were with the driver's family, his friends, and his colleagues, and she added that the driver's family were being supported by specially trained officers.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said the union was "devastated" to learn the driver, a former RMT rep, had died, while Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was "deeply concerned" by the news of the collision and the death.
Witnesses described the impact in vivid terms, with Dr Peter Knapp telling the BBC, "It felt like I'd been in a bomb explosion," and Shola Mene saying she heard a "big bang" and that people flew from their seats.
Injuries, response, and rail disruption
The East of England Ambulance Service confirmed 11 people were very seriously injured, 32 were described as injured, and 57 had minor injuries, while the BBC said 28 remained in hospital on Saturday with nine in a critical condition.
The BBC reported that multiple air ambulance helicopters, road vehicles and some 70 firefighters were involved in the immediate aftermath, and it said BTP declared a major incident following the collision.
EMR managing director Will Rogers said it was on the scene with Network Rail and emergency services to ensure those affected got care and support, and the BBC quoted him saying, "This is a profoundly sad day for the rail community."
The BBC said EMR advised travellers to use alternative routes over the weekend, and it reported that tickets already bought could be used at no extra cost to travel with other operators.
