Nine critical after train crash near Bedford kills driver
British police and rail investigators are examining why two London-bound passenger trains collided on the same track near Bedford.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
2 min read
Nine people remained in critical condition on Saturday after two passenger trains collided near Bedford, north of London, in a crash that killed one driver, British Transport Police said. The collision has prompted parallel inquiries by police and rail accident investigators into how the two services came together.
British Transport Police said more than 80 people were treated in hospital after the crash on Friday night. Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said 28 people were still in hospital on Saturday morning, including the nine listed as critical.
The crash happened near Bedford, about 56 miles, or 90km, north of London. East Midlands Railway said both trains were heading towards London and were on the same track when they collided.
Driver died at the scene
Police confirmed on Friday that the driver of one of the trains died at the scene. East Midlands Railway managing director Will Rogers described the crash as a profoundly sad day for the railway community and said the company’s driver had died while others were injured.
Rogers said East Midlands Railway was supporting the Rail Accident Investigation Branch inquiry. British Transport Police said its specialist investigators were working with the RAIB to establish the facts and determine what happened.
The East of England Ambulance Service said on Saturday that 11 people suffered very serious injuries. It said another 32 people had serious injuries and 56 had minor injuries.
Emergency crews sent a large response to the crash site. More than 20 ambulances, specialist hazardous area rescue teams and six air ambulances were deployed, according to the emergency response details reported after the collision.
Cause not yet established
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said it was too early to speculate about the cause. She said a full investigation would be carried out so that lessons could be learned.
Officials have not said whether signalling problems were involved. The public statements released so far have focused on the casualty figures, the emergency response and the start of the investigation.
King Charles said in a Buckingham Palace statement that he was greatly saddened by the crash. The palace said the king sent his sympathies to the family of the driver who died and to those who were injured.
The crash involved two services operated by East Midlands Railway, according to the company. Rail investigators and British Transport Police have not released further details on the sequence of events before the collision.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.