Bedford train crash: Nine people still critical after accident involving Corby train
Emergency services have confirmed that nine people remain in a critical condition in hospital today (Saturday) following the collision between two trains near Bedford yesterday afternoon which killed one of the drivers.
British Transport Police Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said the family of the driver of the Corby train was being supported by specially trained officers.
She was giving an update to the media this afternoon at the cordon following the accident which happened just after 5.10pm south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6,
Thanking the response of the ambulance service and the NHS, she said: “Over 80 people were treated at hospital last night.
“As of this morning, 28 remain in hospital and nine are in a critical condition.”
She added: “There will of course be a lot of questions to what exactly happened last night.
“I would really like to reassure everyone that specialist investigators from British Transport Police are working with colleagues at the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to gather the facts and determine what has happened.
“They are extremely experienced and I would ask that we all refrain from speculation.”
The collision involved the 16:40 EMR train from Corby to London St Pancras and the 15:50 Nottingham to London St Pancras at Bedford South.
She described the emergency response to the incident as “significant” involving a joint operation between the British Transport Police, fire and ambulance services, Beds Police, the National Air Service, plus National Rail and East Midlands Railway.
She said: “I would like to thank all that responded for their absolutely incredible work in tragic and challenging circumstances. I also want to thank local people who showed immense kindness to those stranded on trains and to the casualties.”
East Midlands Railway managing director Will Rogers, speaking at the same news conference, said: “We are deeply saddened that our driver has tragically died and a number of other people have suffered injuries.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the family, friends and colleagues of our driver and everyone else who has been injured or affected by this tragic incident.
“Our priority is the welfare of everybody involved and we are here for customers and our colleagues.
“We are on scene with Network Rail and the emergency services to ensure those affected receive the care and support they need.
“We are fully supporting the Rail Accident Investigation Branch investigation and our thoughts are firmly with the family and loved ones of our colleague and everybody injured or affected by this tragic incident.
“This is a profoundly sad day for the railway community.”
Passengers from our area are urged to take different routes to the capital. No direct trains to London were due to be running this weekend due to engineering works, but northbound routes from Kettering are still operating. Trains between Corby and Kettering are running. You can find out more information about your journey here.