King Charles III has expressed being “greatly saddened” by a rail crash in which a train driver was killed and dozens of others seriously injured, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson confirmed.
The collision involved two East Midlands Railway (EMR) services, occurring when one train struck the rear of another on the same line shortly after 5pm on Friday near Bedford.
A passenger aboard one of the trains reported being “flung into the chair in front, and then I saw smoke”.
Royal Response
On Saturday, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson stated: “His Majesty is greatly saddened by the rail crash in Bedford yesterday evening and is being kept regularly updated on developments. His thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the deceased and with all those injured or affected by such a tragic incident.”
British Transport Police confirmed that a train driver died, and 33 other individuals were taken to hospital with serious injuries. Additionally, 56 people sustained minor injuries.
Network Rail, which manages Britain’s rail infrastructure, said its “absolute priority” was ensuring “everyone receives the care and support they need”.
Details of the Incident
The two trains involved were the 4.40pm departure from Corby and the 3.50pm departure from Nottingham, both heading to London St Pancras. Most carriages of the southbound trains remained on the tracks, but at least one derailed.
Passenger Pete Knapp described scenes of “crying, screaming” and noted that some individuals appeared to have major injuries. Dr Knapp, 40, told the Press Association: “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 saw many people unable to speak, with broken legs. I managed to squeeze out through a gap in the doors because I’m quite thin.”
Dr Knapp reported seeing individuals with “life-threatening, major injuries, minor injuries”, as well as “people with bandages, people who couldn’t see straight”, while others like him could still walk. He added: “I’ve got blood all over my trousers and my back hurts like hell but I’m all right.”
Another passenger, Brett Byatt, a teacher from Bedford, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that he was among three or four people in his carriage who were not injured. “Everyone else had either a serious wound that was bleeding profusely, or a situation where they couldn’t stand, or couldn’t move their neck, or I saw a woman’s snapped leg,” he said.
Byatt expressed anger the morning after the collision: “I don’t know at whom, who specifically, but it’s more about we’ve got one of the oldest railway networks and signal failures happen a lot, and now I’m just wondering… why wasn’t that signalled to my train and why did that train driver lose his life over this?”
Official Reactions
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the crash as “hugely concerning” and expressed gratitude to emergency services for their swift response.
A massive emergency response was mobilized, including multiple air ambulance helicopters and road vehicles, at the scene just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6 in Bedford South.
EMR trains between Bedford and London St Pancras have been suspended until at least Monday. Online train trackers indicate that the rolling stock involved were a class 360 and class 810, with the front of the former hitting the rear of the latter. EMR began introducing class 810s in December last year, while class 360s are at least 20 years old.
Eddie Dempsey, general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), said: “We are devastated to learn that a train driver and former RMT rep has tragically died as a result of Friday’s crash between Luton and Bedford. The thoughts of RMT are with their family, friends, colleagues and the Aslef trade union at this awful time.”
Dave Calfe, general secretary of the train drivers’ union Aslef, said on Friday: “Our thoughts tonight are with the family and friends of the driver who died in the crash near Bedford 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.”
Police and a Rail Investigation Branch van remained at the scene on Saturday, and Ampthill Road was closed from the Interchange Retail Park roundabout to Manor Road in Kempston Hardwick.
Network Rail said on Saturday that part of the East Midlands route remained closed as the emergency response continued and teams assessed damage to the trains and infrastructure. The company stated it would provide updates when it had a clearer understanding of the recovery work required and when services could safely reopen, advising passengers to check with their train operator for the latest travel advice.
Mark Budden, Network Rail’s East Midlands route director, said: “We’re deeply saddened that a railway colleague has tragically died following the incident near Bedford. Our thoughts are with their family, friends and colleagues, and with everyone affected.”
The company thanked emergency services and railway staff for their response to the incident.
This crash follows a collision between two trains in mid-Wales in October 2024, in which one passenger died and four other people were seriously hurt. That incident was Britain’s first fatal crash involving multiple trains for over a quarter of a century.
