Two commuter trains in rush hour horror crash with major incident declared after air ambulance scrambled to scene

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British Transport Police said they are responding to reports of a “collision involving two trains” in the Bedford area.

Over 30 emergency service vehicles and an air ambulance responded following the crash. That includes at least five air ambulances which arrived and then left.

Firefighters are also at the scene, and the service has urged people to avoid the area.

Bedford hospital is reportedly expecting at least 50 casualties to arrive and had ordered “all hands on deck”.

Staff were also warned that fatalities could be expected.

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The collision reportedly involved the 3.50pm service from Nottingham to St Pancras International and the 4.40pm Corby to St Pancras. The train heading to Corby appears to have struck the back of the Nottingham train.

The incident has sparked travel chaos with trains at Luton station delayed and cancelled.

East Midlands Railway has confirmed that services to and from London St Pancras are suspended for the rest of the day as emergency services respond to the scene.

The railway provider wrote on X: Train[s] are unable to run between London St Pancras and Leicester due to emergency service dealing with an incident."

Rail provider Thameslink also said services between Bedford and Luton were cancelled and told customers to amend their plans.

Footage from the scene shows what appear to be two East Midlands trains that collided. Footage online appears to show dazed passengers stranded as emergency services respond to the scene.

A passenger wrote on Bluesky that the front of the train was fine, but the third carriage came 'off the rails'.

They added: '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.'

Another passenger wrote in a Reddit forum: 'I was on the front intercity, we slowed to a stop fairly rapidly. While stopped the connect train went into the back of us. Quite a lot of injuries, but a lot of us walking off the train with only bruises'

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said she was “deeply concerned” by reports of the collision.

In a post on X, she wrote: “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.”

The Mayor of Bedford has described the collision as a distressing situation for many people across our community”.

In a statement on Facebook, Tom Wootton shared: “I am deeply concerned by reports of the train collision near Bedford this evening.

“My thoughts are first and foremost with everyone involved, particularly those who have been injured, their families and loved ones. I would also like to thank the emergency services, NHS staff, railway personnel and all those responding to this incident for their swift and professional actions under very difficult circumstances.

“I am in contact with relevant agencies and receiving updates as the situation develops. Bedford Borough Council stands ready to provide whatever support may be required as emergency responders continue their work.

“This is clearly a distressing situation for many people across our community. At this stage, it is important that we allow the emergency services and railway authorities the space they need to deal with the incident and establish the full facts.

“Bedford is a strong community, and when difficult events occur, we come together to support one another. We will continue to work closely with our partners and will do all we can to assist those affected. I will share further information when it becomes available through the appropriate official channels.”

More to follow.