Two trains have collided in the Bedford area, police have said, with fire and rescue crews at the scene asking people to avoid the area.
Aerial footage of the aftermath shows two damaged East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains with most carriages on the tracks but at least one shunted off.
Footage shows a long line of emergency vehicles on a rural road as emergency crews and passengers gathered in the neighbouring field.
One of the trains appears to be a Luton Airport Express service and air ambulance helicopters are on the ground.
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.
Serious injuries have reportedly been sustained by on-board staff and passengers, a Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union spokesperson said.
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”.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was “deeply concerned” by the reports.
In a post on X, she said: “I’m deeply concerned to hear reports of the collision involving 2 East Midlands Railway passenger trains.
“I’m grateful to emergency services who are on the scene, attending to those affected.
“We’re working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to support passengers.”
I’m deeply concerned to hear reports of the collision involving 2 East Midlands Railway passenger trains.
I’m grateful to emergency services who are on the scene, attending to those affected.
We’re working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to support passengers.
— 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.”
British Transport Police said shortly before 6.45pm: “We’re responding to reports of a collision involving two trains in the Bedford area.”
It later added: “We understand that people are concerned about relatives or friends who may have been travelling on the trains involved in the incident near Bedford.
“We’re asking people not to travel to the scene and await further updates from emergency services.”
The fire and rescue service said: “Crews are currently in attendance at an incident on the railway just south of Bedford.
“Please avoid the area. Thank you for your co-operation.”