2 trains collide north of London, killing at least 1 person

Emergency services rushed to the scene of a collision between two trains north of London on Friday afternoon that killed at least one person.

A passenger reported that he was thrown forward by the impact then saw fellow travellers with broken bones and bloody injuries.

Both trains were travelling south to London St Pancras station when they collided outside the town of Bedford around 5.15pm, according to information on rail tracking websites.

Emergency services deployed a number of resources to the scene including an air ambulance and hazardous incident team from the East of England Ambulance Service.

In an update nearly five hours after the collision, the East of England Ambulance Service confirmed one person had died at the scene.

“A further 11 people suffered very serious injuries, 22 were seriously injured, and a further 56 people had minor injuries,” it added. “Those with minor injuries were treated at the scene or taken to hospital where needed.”