Injuries reported after two trains collide near Bedford

Two trains have collided in the Bedford area, authorities have said, with police and other emergency services at the scene.

The collision, which is reported to have caused injuries, has also caused major delays to the evening commute, with lines closed between Luton and Bedford, Thameslink said.

East Midlands Railway posted on X at about 5.30pm that trains were unable to run between London St Pancras and Leicester “due to emergency service dealing with an incident”.

The British Transport Police said its officers were responding to the collision, as did Bedfordshire police and Bedfordshire fire and rescue.

“We are asking for people to avoid the area,” Bedfordshire police said.

Relatives and friends of the injured passengers have been asked not to travel to the scene.

A Rail, Maritime and Transport union spokesperson said it is deeply concerned by reports of a train collision and the “serious injuries sustained by on-board train staff and passengers”.

East Midlands Railway services to and from London St Pancras have been suspended for the remainder of today, the train operator added.

The transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, wrote on X: “I’m deeply concerned to hear reports of the collision involving 2 East Midlands Railway passenger trains.

“I’m grateful to emergency services who are on the scene, attending to those affected.

“We’re working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to support passengers.”

The East of England ambulance 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 added.

Video posted on social media showed a damaged purple Luton Airport Express train and passengers standing along the tracks.

Dr Pete Knapp, a passenger in the front carriage of one of the southbound trains involved, posted on Bluesky: “Train heading south from Bedford crashed at 17:12. Front of train ok, third carriage off rails.

“I’m ok with bloody legs and back impact. Others are not good. Sudden crash, no slowing down or horns. No warning.

“No explosion, just stopped instantly.”

The rail accident investigation branch said a team of inspectors was at the scene of the collision near Elstow to start gathering evidence.

Bedford and Kempston MP, Mohammad Yasin, said he was “very sorry” to hear of the incident and would share more information “soon”.

One of the trains involved was the new East Midlands Railway Aurora, which came into service last year.

A Network Rail spokesperson, said: “There is currently no Thameslink service between Luton and Bedford. If you’re planning a journey in this area, it is strongly advised that you delay your journey.

“Services between Luton and London are significantly disrupted. We advise customers to seek alternative travel arrangements.”