Passengers have been left “seriously injured” after two train collided this afternoon.
Graphic footage taken by passengers reveal two East Midlands Trains services smashing into each other.
The crash appears to have affected surrounding services, with Thameslink reporting blocked lines between Luton and Bedford “due to a problem under investigation”.
It involved the 3.50pm service from Nottingham to St Pancras International and the 4.40pm Corby to St Pancras.
Thameslink said: ‘All lines are blocked between Luton and Bedford. This is due to a problem under investigation.
‘If you cannot delay your journey, please note that you will be severely delayed and will likely need to use an alternative route to reach your destination.’
Replacement buses have been requested, they added.
Crew from Bedfordshire fire service were at the scene and have advised the public to avoid the area.
A train driver has been killed and several others injured, British Transport Police have confirmed. BTP said they responded to a call about the collision at 5.15pm and now know “a number of people have been injured, and one person has very sadly died.”
Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy said: “We’ve declared a major incident and a significant emergency service response is ongoing. We’re working at pace to establish exactly what’s happened and will provide further information as soon as we are able to.”
Time and location:
The collision happened at 17:12 BST. It took place just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6. The Corby train is reported to have run into the back of the Nottingham service.
Scale of the response:
More than 30 emergency vehicles attended, alongside air ambulances and the Hazardous Area Response Team. A nearby hospital was earlier reported to be expecting up to 50 injured, with fatalities feared. Families were directed to Progress Park in Bedford to collect loved ones.
Witness account:
Passenger Pete Knapp said: “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.” He said he saw people with “life-threatening, major injuries, minor injuries.”
Government reaction:
Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to the family of the person who died and to those seriously injured, adding: “I am grateful to the emergency services for their swift response to this tragic incident.”
Wider disruption:
EMR trains were unable to run in or out of London St Pancras for the remainder of the day.
