Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of a fatal train crash near Bedford.
If you’re just joining us, here’s what we know so far.
A train from Corby smashed into the back of a Nottingham service on the same track heading to St Pancras at around 5pm yesterday, derailing at least one carriage.
The collision killed a train driver, 11 people suffered “very serious” injuries, 22 were seriously injured and 56 sustained minor injuries, East of England Ambulance Service said.
Passenger Dr Pete Knapp, 40, described seeing people with “life-threatening” injuries.
“People were crying, screaming, people were so scared and confused,” he said.
“I got up and I saw a lot of people who were unable to speak, had broken legs.”
Air ambulance helicopters were on the ground after the collision just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6.
Bedford Hospital and Luton and Dunstable University Hospital both asked the public not to attend their emergency departments “unless they have a genuine medical emergency” as they responded to the incident.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident will be carried out.
The incident involved two East Midlands Railway (EMR) services, with the front of a class 360, which are at least 20 years old, hitting the rear of a class 810, which were rolled out in December.
EMR began rolling out class 810s in December last year, while class 360s are at least 20 years old.
Keir Starmer described the crash as “hugely concerning” and said he is “grateful to the emergency services for their swift response to this tragic incident”.
Emergency services dealing with incident between St Pancras and Leicester
Emergency services are dealing with an incident between London St Pancras and Leicester, East Midlands Railway has said.
‘All lines blocked between Luton and Bedford’
An update to bring you from rail operator Thameslink.
“All lines are blocked between Luton and Bedford,” it says.
As reported, East Midlands Railway has said emergency services are dealing with an incident between London St Pancras and Leicester.
‘Please avoid the area,’ fire service says
We’ve also heard from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue this evening.
It says the incident is on the railway “just south of Bedford”.
“Please avoid the area,” it adds.
British Transport Police responding to reports of ‘collision involving two trains’
British Transport Police has issued a statement, saying it is responding to reports of a “collision”.
Two trains are involved in the Bedford area, it adds.
Bedford MP ‘very sorry to hear’ of collision
Mohammad Yasin, MP for Bedford and Kempston, has said he is “very sorry to hear” of the train collision between Bedford and Luton.
“Emergency services are at the scene,” he adds.
Air ambulance among resources sent to ‘major incident’
The East of England Ambulance Service has given an update on the resources sent to the collision.
The service said an air ambulance and the Hazardous Area Response Team is responding to the “major incident” south of Bedford.
“We encourage people to avoid the area,” it adds.
Transport secretary ‘deeply concerned’
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says she is “deeply concerned” to hear reports of the train collision.
“We’re working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to support passengers,” she adds.
‘Sudden crash’ left people injured and carriage off rails, passenger says
A passenger has posted on social media and says the train “just stopped instantly”.
“Train heading south from Bedford crashed at 17:12,” Dr Pete Knapp said.
“Front of train okay, third carriage off rails.
“I’m okay with bloody legs and back impact. Others are not good. Sudden crash, no slowing down or horns. No warning.”
Relatives and friends told not to travel to scene
Bedfordshire Police has urged friends and families of those on board to not travel to the scene of the train collision.
The force said they should “await further updates from emergency services”.
‘Serious injuries’ sustained in collision, RMT says
A spokesperson for the Rail, Maritime and Transport union is “deeply concerned” by the reports.
There were “serious injuries sustained by on-board train staff and passengers”, the spokesperson adds.
“The thoughts of the whole union are with those affected and we continue to monitor the situation.”
Stationary train was reporting failure when hit from behind
We’re getting some more detail about what happened in the moments leading up to the crash.
The train that was hit was at a stand reporting a failure, Mrziesblog understands.
It was struck from behind by the second train, travelling in the same direction.
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