Two Trains Collide in UK: Driver Killed, 89 Injured

A collision between two trains near the town of Bedford in the United Kingdom has left one train driver dead and more than 80 passengers injured. Several of those injured are reported to be in critical condition.

The collision occurred yesterday, Friday afternoon local time. According to the East of England Ambulance Service, among the injured, 11 passengers are in very critical condition, 22 are in serious condition, and 56 sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

According to rail tracking websites, both trains were heading toward St Pancras Station in South London. The two trains collided outside the town of Bedford at around 5:15 PM. Local authorities initiated rescue operations for the injured passengers shortly after the incident.

In a statement, the London Metropolitan Police said, "We are aware of the train accident. Several passengers have been injured and the driver has tragically died. Our officers and members are assisting our colleagues from the Bedfordshire Police. Police and local fire and rescue services are conducting operations at the scene. An adequate number of ambulances are deployed there to transport the injured to hospitals as quickly as possible."

The East Midlands division of UK Rail stated that a train departed Nottingham at 3:50 PM yesterday, Friday, bound for St Pancras Station in South London. Around the same time, another train was heading toward the same station from the town of Corby. The two trains collided before any signal could be given or anyone could realize what was happening.

A passenger named Peter Knapp told the British broadcaster Sky News, "Suddenly I was thrown from my seat and saw smoke ahead. People were crying, screaming; they were completely disoriented."

"When I got up, I saw many people around me with broken limbs, and some were not even in a condition to speak."

Peter added that he sustained injuries in the accident, but they were not serious.
Source: AP