Bedford passenger train collision leaves one dead and dozens injured north of London
Two London-bound passenger trains collided near Bedford on Friday, killing one person and injuring dozens, with 11 of them seriously. Emergency services launched a major response and investigators opened a probe into one of Britain's most serious rail incidents in recent years.
Two London-bound passenger trains collided on Friday evening just north of Bedford in eastern England. According to France 24 and local sources, one passenger was killed, eleven were seriously injured, and dozens of others sustained lighter injuries. Air ambulances, fire crews and police mounted a large-scale rescue operation at the site.
Infrastructure operator Network Rail said the line had been temporarily closed and that East Midlands and Thameslink services were being rescheduled. Britain's Rail Accident Investigation Branch said it was reviewing signalling, dispatch logs and onboard data recorders.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, speaking at the scene, offered condolences to the family of the person killed and to those injured, and said the investigation would proceed independently. Operators and unions declined detailed comment until investigators report.
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