The crash involved two East Midlands Railway services.
A train driver was killed and dozens more were seriously hurt after two passenger trains collided near Bedford.
The crash involved two East Midlands Railway services, with one train slamming into the back of the other on the same track shortly after 5pm on Friday.
One passenger said they were “flung into the chair in front” before seeing smoke fill the carriage.
The East of England Ambulance Service said the train driver died, 11 people suffered “very serious” injuries, and another 22 were seriously hurt.
All of those with the most critical injuries have now been taken to hospital.
Another 56 people suffered minor injuries and were treated either at the scene or later in hospital.
Most carriages from both southbound trains stayed on the tracks, though at least one carriage derailed.
The trains involved were the 4:40pm service from Corby and the 3:50pm service from Nottingham, both heading to London St Pancras.
Passenger Pete Knapp described scenes of “crying and screaming,” saying some people appeared to have horrific injuries.
The 40-year-old told the Press Association: “There was this sudden jolt and I was thrown into the seat in front. Then I saw smoke. People were crying, screaming — everyone was terrified and confused.”
“I got up and saw people who couldn’t speak, people with broken legs. I managed to get off the train, and because I’m quite slim, I squeezed through a gap in the doors.”
Dr Knapp said he saw people with life-threatening injuries, serious wounds, and minor cuts. Some had bandages, some were dazed and unable to focus, while others were still able to walk.
He added: “I’ve got blood all over my trousers and my back hurts like hell, but I’m okay.”
He said he didn’t feel the train slow down before impact, although other passengers said they noticed it braking.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the crash “hugely concerning” and thanked emergency crews for their swift response to the tragedy.
Air ambulances landed near the crash site, just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and A6.
Emergency vehicles lined a nearby rural road as rescue crews and shaken passengers gathered in a neighbouring field.
Members of the public were urged to stay away from the scene. Bedford Hospital and Luton and Dunstable University Hospital also asked people not to visit A&E unless it was a genuine emergency while staff dealt with the incident.
EMR services to and from London were suspended for the rest of the day.
Online rail trackers showed the trains involved were a Class 360 and a Class 810, with the front of the older train smashing into the rear of the newer one.
EMR began rolling out Class 810 trains in December last year, while Class 360 trains are more than 20 years old.
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “We are supporting emergency services at the scene and our thoughts are with everyone affected.”
Meanwhile, Eddie Dempsey, general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, confirmed the person killed was one of the train drivers.
He said: “We are devastated to learn that a train driver and former RMT representative has tragically died in today’s crash between Luton and Bedford. Our thoughts are with their family, friends, colleagues and the ASLEF union at this awful time.”
Dave Calfe, general secretary of ASLEF, added: “Our thoughts tonight are with the family and friends of the driver who lost their life, and with the passengers injured in today’s crash near Bedford.”
“We also want to thank the emergency services who responded so quickly and remain at the scene.”
Inspectors from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch were sent to gather evidence.
The crash comes after another train collision in mid-Wales in October 2024, where one passenger died and four others were seriously injured.
That was Britain’s first fatal multi-train crash in more than 25 years.
