Passengers have been evacuated onto the tracks after two trains collided between Bedford and Luton.
Concern is growing over serious injuries or fatalities after the major crash on the railway line near Elstow, Bedford, this evening.
More than 30 emergency vehicles have been scrambled to the scene after reports of a collision involving two East Midlands Railway trains, with some carriages having been derailed.
British Transport Police said: ‘Two trains crash in Bedford with railway lines closed.’
Sign up for all of the latest stories
Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.
A spokesperson for the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said they are ‘deeply concerned’ by reports of the crash and ‘the serious injuries sustained by on-board train staff and passengers.’
Dr Pete Knapp, who was a passenger on the train, said on social media: ‘Train heading south from Bedford crashed at 17:12.
‘Front of train okay, third carriage off rails.
‘I’m okay with bloody legs and back impact. Others are not good.
‘Sudden crash, no slowing down or horns. No warning.’
He said there was ‘no explosion,’ but the train just stopped ‘instantly.’
An air ambulance has been dispatched, and the East of England Ambulance service has sent ‘a number of resources.’
Police urged relatives and loved ones of people who may have been travelling on the train ‘not to travel to the scene and await further updates from emergency services’ after reports that commuters were being picked up from nearby roads.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander 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.’
Trains will be unable to run in or out of St Pancras for the rest of the evening and passengers are advised not to travel, National Rail said.
ASLEF, the train drivers’ union, said: ‘We are deeply concerned by reports of the collision of two trains near Bedford.
‘Our thoughts at this time are with all staff and passengers on board. Thank you to the emergency services for their ongoing work responding to the incident.’
Metro has contacted the emergency services for more information.
What train routes are affected?
Here is the affected route, where trains are currently unable to run:
- East Midlands Railway between London St Pancras International and Corby / Leicester / Nottingham / Sheffield
Have you been affected? Please contact webnews@metro.co.uk
Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. Or you can submit your videos and pictures here.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here.
from Metro https://ift.tt/Bk1uO4m
via IFTTT
0 comments: