One person has died and a number of others were injured after two passenger trains collided in the Bedford area, north of London.
Eleven people suffered “very serious” injuries and 22 were seriously injured in the crash, according to East of England Ambulance Service.
Patients with the most serious injuries have all now been taken from the scene to hospital.
A further 56 people sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene or taken to hospital.
The crash happened at around 5.15pm and a major incident was declared by British Transport Police.
In a statement, the force said that the collision involved two East Midlands Railway trains. Most carriages of the two southbound trains remained on the tracks but at least one derailed.
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.”
The East of England Ambulance Service said that a large number of resources were sent to the scene, including more than 20 ambulances, six air ambulances and specialist hazardous area response teams.
Footage shows a long line of emergency vehicles on a rural road as emergency crews and passengers gathered in the neighbouring field.
The collision happened just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6 and British Transport Police have asked relatives and friends of passengers not to travel to the scene.
Bedford Hospital and Luton and Dunstable University Hospital have both asked to avoid attending their emergency departments “unless they have a genuine medical emergency”.
Both hospitals said in separate X posts: “Our hospitals are currently supporting the active incident in relation to the recent train crash in Bedford.
“We ask the public to avoid attending our Emergency Departments unless they have a genuine medical emergency. Please use NHS services appropriately.”
One passenger said he was on the southbound train travelling to London St Pancras when it crashed at 5.12pm leaving the “front of train OK, third carriage off rails”.
Dr Pete Knapp added on social media: “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,” he said.
He added: “No horns, warnings, explosions, just sudden impact. No terrorism signs.”
EMR trains are “unable to run in or out of” London St Pancras for the rest of the day, the service reported.
It added: “Customers are advised DO NOT TRAVEL this evening”.
British Prime Ministe Kier Starmer said that reports of the collision were “hugely concerning”.
In a post on social media, he paid tribute to the emergency services for their “swift response”.
Hugely concerning reports of a collision involving two passenger trains near Bedford.
First and foremost, my thoughts are with the family of the person who has sadly lost their life, and with those who have been seriously injured.
I am grateful to the emergency services for…
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 19, 2026
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was “deeply saddened” to hear about the casualty in the crash.
In a post on X, she said: “Deeply saddened to hear one person has died and a number of people injured in the awful train collision near Bedford.
“Our thoughts are with their loved ones and everyone affected. Emergency services remain on scene.”
Deeply saddened to hear one person has died and a number of people injured in the awful train collision near Bedford. Our thoughts are with their loved ones and everyone affected. Emergency services remain on scene.
— Heidi Alexander MP (@Heidi_Labour) June 19, 2026
Bedford and Kempston MP Mohammad Yasin said he was “very sorry” to hear of the incident and would share more information “soon”.
In a post on his Facebook page, he said: “I’m very sorry to hear there has been a train collision between Bedford and Luton. Emergency services are at the scene.
“I will try to share more details soon.”
Transport Salaried Staffs Association general secretary, Maryam Eslamdoust, said it is “devastating to hear of the collision” and “safety on our railways is always our number one priority”.
She added: “It’s vital now to let the emergency services do their work.
“The thoughts of the entire union are with the passengers and staff and emergency service workers on the trains involved. We send them all our solidarity.”