At least 50 passengers are thought to have been injured after two passenger trains crashed into each other near Bedford. Union bosses have confirmed that people were left with ‘serious injuries’ in the horror smash, as hospital staff have been told to be ‘on standby’ to treat the wounded.
Passengers reported hearing a ‘huge bang’ before the sudden crash which left passengers bloodied. It is not yet known how many people have been seriously injured but it has been reported that at least 50 casualties will be taken to Bedford Hospital following the crash.
Images from the scene taken by shaken passengers show the damage on the two East Midlands Trains services that smashed into each other. Thameslink has said that all lines are blocked between Luton and Bedford as emergency services swarm the area to deal with the aftermath.
Did you witness the crash or were you on board? Email livenews@reachplc.com
New UpdatesView PostView PostView PostView PostView PostView PostView PostView PostView PostToday21:14 BST
A passenger has shared footage of water and food being brought to people stranded on the trains following the crash.
He wrote on X: “Thoughts are with everyone involved in the Bedford train collision today. I was on the train behind and stranded for hours.
“Huge thanks to my partner and neighbours, who brought water and snacks for passengers when we stopped outside my house. Humanity at its best.”
Tim HanlonToday21:04 BST
The train crash outside Bedford appears to have been a “relatively slow speed collision”, a rail expert has said.
Tony Miles told Sky News the damage to the trains looked “fairly minimal”.
He said: “Obviously it’s a rear end collision, they were going in the same direction, so one of them, the rear one was going faster than the one it’s caught up with, for some reason. That’s not a complicated assumption.
An aerial view of the crash scene
“So, the question has to be how has that train that’s in the rear got into contact with the train that it was following, and obviously it’s either gone past the signal that was telling it it should stop, or the signal was faulty, or the driver’s made a mistake in some way, or didn’t read the signal, or something.
“Over the years, all of those different scenarios have happened, and it’s now a question of finding out why did one train catch up with the train that was in front of it, that was obviously going more slowly. Whether it was stopped. I don’t know, but I say from the collision damage it looked like a relatively low speed collision.
A train is believed to have driven into the back of the other(Image: Bav Media)
“So either the train in the rear was already slowing down or they were both going fairly slowly, and something’s happened, but it’s not a high speed crash, certainly from the damage.”
He added: “Even if you’re going 40 miles an hour and you come to a halt in a few meters, you’ve got the energy of a 40-mile-an-hour body in you, and you’re going to move until you hit something, unfortunately. So, even relatively low speed collisions can be dangerous for people that are on board.”
The two trains were heading towards London St Pancras(Image: Sky News)
Travel expert Simon Calder says that a train ran into another which was stationary on the track due to a problem with the automatic warning system.
“The train in front was the late running 3.50pm train from Nottingham,” Mr Calder told Sky News.
“It had come to a halt because of a problem with its automatic warning system which operates with train drivers – warns them if there is a red signal ahead.
“While the driver apparently was trying to sort out that, the 4.40pm which was travelling from Corby (…) was on the same southbound line and collided with the stationary train.”
Emergency services at the scene following the crash(Image: Sky News)
Health Secretary James Murray said on X: “I am being kept updated on the collision of two trains between Luton and Bedford. A number of people have been injured and I thank first responders who are helping those affected.
“The @EastEnglandAmb is working with emergency services to support passengers who need further care.”
Tim HanlonToday20:33 BST
A witness described people were “crying, screaming” and said some seemed to have major injuries following a train crash near Bedford.
Pete Knapp, 40, 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.”
He said he had not felt the train slow down before the crash, but other passengers told him they had. He 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.
He said: “I’ve got blood all over my trousers and my back hurts like hell but I’m alright.”
People waiting beside the track after the crash
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is urging people to avoid A&E departments unless a genuine emergency.
It states: “Our hospitals are currently supporting the active incident in relation to the recent train crash in Bedford.
“We ask the public to avoid attending our Emergency Departments unless they have a genuine medical emergency. Please use NHS services appropriately. Further updates will be provided when it is appropriate to do so.”
Tim HanlonToday20:18 BST
Both trains were heading to London St Pancras when they were involved in the collision.
One train was the 4.40pm East Midlands Railway service from Corby to London St Pancras and the other was the 3.50pm service from Nottingham to London St Pancras.
An image from the crash scene
The independent Rail Accident Investigation branch states that it is at the scene of the crash near Elstow.
It wrote on X: “A team of RAIB inspectors is on site at the scene of a collision between two trains near Elstow, to start gathering evidence.”
Tim HanlonToday20:12 BST
“I was in the front carriage. I was in shock and still am. The road is closed with ambulances, fire and police are helping people,” says passenger Dr Pete Knapp on social media.
And he also commented: “Others on the train say they saw another train ahead of us when we disembarked. Appears to have been a collision.”
Tim HanlonToday20:03 BST
There are reports that one of the trains was stationary when it was hit from behind by the other train.
One person wrote on X: “I was on the front intercity, we slowed and stopped fairly suddenly. While stopped the connect train went into the back of us.”
Tim HanlonToday19:59 BST
A flight map shows an Air Ambulance leaving the scene of the crash.
An Air Ambulance H135 has been tracked by Flightradar24.
Tim HanlonToday19:51 BST
East Midlands Railway says that there will be no more services from London St Pancras today due to the collision.
It stated: “East Midlands Railway services to and from London St Pancras are suspended for the remainder of service today, Friday 19 June 2026.
“EMR customers are advised not to attempt to travel on these routes today.
“Emergency services are dealing with an incident between Luton and Bedford, which is disrupting our trains on the London St Pancras/Nottingham/Sheffield and London St Pancras/Corby routes. Network Rail and the emergency services are on site actively responding to this incident.”
People being treated by the ambulance service(Image: Dr Peter Knapp)
A Rail, Maritime and Transport union spokesperson said: “We are 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.”
Passengers waiting by the track following the collision
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says she is “deeply concerned to hear reports of the collision”.
She wrote on X: “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.”
Tim HanlonToday19:36 BST
Bedfordshire Police is urging people worried for passengers on the trains “not to travel to the scene”.
“British Transport Police have confirmed they are responding to reports of a collision involving two trains in the Bedford area,” stated Bedfordshire Police.
“We understand people are concerned and worried for relatives but we are advising the public not to travel to the scene and to await further updates from emergency services.”
Tim HanlonToday19:25 BST
East of England Ambulance Service stated on X: “We have sent a number of resources, including air ambulance and our Hazardous Area Response Team, to a major incident on the railway south of #Bedford.
“We encourage people to avoid the area. Further updates will be provided in due course. Please only call 999 in an emergency.”
Scene after two trains collided
A passenger has told of a scene like a bomb had exploded on his train following the collision.
“When I got up, I saw all the chairs everywhere… it felt like I had been in a bomb explosion,” he told the BBC.
“I saw people’s blooded face, legs looked broken… some people spitting out blood.”
Tim HanlonToday19:19 BST
British Transport Police says it is responding to reports of an incident involving two trains.
“We’re responding to reports of a collision involving two trains in the Bedford area. We’ll share more information as soon as possible,” stated the BTP on X.
Tim HanlonToday19:16 BST
At least 50 injured people are expected to be transported to Bedford Hospital, it is being reported by The Times.
Tim HanlonToday19:15 BST
Passengers have been advised that a bus service will be running between St Pancras and Bedford on Saturday.
Thameslink states: “Buses will replace trains between London St Pancras & Bedford tomorrow, the Saturday 20 to Sunday 21 June.
“Also, no trains will run between London St Pancras & London Bridge / Sutton.”
The collision between two trains
A passenger says there was a “sudden crash” which has left him with “bloody legs and back impact”.
He has also warned “others are not good”.
He wrote on social media: “Train heading south from Bedford crashed at 17:12. Front of train ok, third carriage off rails. I’m ok with bloody legs and back impact. Others are not good. Sudden crash, no slowing down or horns. No warning. No explosion, just stopped instantly.”
Tim HanlonToday18:59 BST
People on social media have told of seeing a massive emergency service response.
“Thought something was up as the helicopter and multiple sirens have been going off in kempston,” wrote one person on Facebook.
Another said: “Counted 40+ emergency service vehicles heading towards the Interchange Retail Park area.”
Tim HanlonToday18:55 BST
A clip has been shared on social media appearing to show a train which was involved in the collision near Bedford.
Tim HanlonToday18:53 BST
Passengers are also being advised to remain on board trains which have come to a halt outside of stations.
“If you are on a train that has come to a stop outside of a station, remain on board and await further information. We know where you are and we are working on getting you back on the move as soon as possible,” said Thameslink.
Tim HanlonToday18:51 BST
People heading to Luton Airport are also being advised to use an alternative route.
“If you are travelling to Luton Airport Parkway, you will need to use an alternative route and it will take significantly longer to complete your journey. Please re-check your journey before travelling,” states Thameslink.
Tim HanlonToday18:51 BST
Thameslink wrote on X: “All lines are blocked between Luton and Bedford.
“This is due to a problem under investigation. More information to follow.”
Tim HanlonToday18:50 BST
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed on social media that it is at the scene of the incident on the railway just south of Bedford.
“Please avoid the area,” a spokesperson says.
Tim HanlonToday18:49 BST
Bedfordshire Police wrote on Facebook: “Emergency services are currently at the scene of an incident on the railway line just south of Bedford.
“All lines through the area have been stopped. Please check your journey before you travel and allow plenty of extra time. We are asking for people to avoid the area and we will update when we can. Thank you.”