STORY
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has told the House of Commons that the driver of a passenger train died after two East Midlands Railway trains collided near Bedford on Friday 19 June. The collision happened at around 17:15 at Elstow, when the 16:40 Corby to London St Pancras service struck the stationary 15:50 Nottingham to London St Pancras service.
Alexander said at least 33 people were taken to hospital, with around a third of them in a serious condition, and at least 56 other people were treated for injuries. She said a number of those injured remained in a critical condition and thanked emergency services, railway staff, NHS workers and local residents who assisted passengers after the crash.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has launched an independent investigation and is expected to provide an update in the coming days. Alexander urged people not to speculate about the cause of the collision while investigators carry out their work, and said the railway between Bedford and Luton is expected to remain closed for the rest of the week while damaged trains are removed and infrastructure is repaired.