The RMT union has confirmed that the person killed in the crash was one of the train drivers.

General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “The thoughts of RMT are with their family, friends, colleagues and the ASLEF trade union at this awful time.”

Dave Calfe from ASLEF added: “Our thoughts tonight are with the family and friends of the driver who died in the crash near Bedford today and with the passengers who were injured in the accident.

“We want to thank the emergency services who responded so quickly, to help those on board, and are still at the scene.”

Simon Calder says train in front stopped ‘after issue with automatic warning system’

Travel expert Simon Calder said he believed the 3.50pm Nottingham to London St Pancras train service, which was in front, had come to a stop due to a problem with the automatic warning system.

The 4.40pm Corby to St Pancras service behind it then collided with the service.

Speaking to Sky News about the incident involving two East Midlands Railway trains, he said the system warns drivers if there is a red signal ahead.

He said: “While the driver apparently was trying to sort out that, the 4.40pm (service)… was on the same southbound line and collided with the stationary train.”

Calder added: “The pictures we are seeing are just shocking. For the train to have struck with such force that we’ve had a derailment is really worrying.

“Of course, railways are in general extremely safe. The rolling stock itself is designed to withstand collisions.”

He also said rail safety in the UK is “pretty much the envy of the world”.