A train driver was killed and dozens of passengers were injured after two commuter trains collided about 60 miles north of London on Friday afternoon, authorities said.
East Midlands Railway, which operated both London-bound services involved in the crash, confirmed on Saturday that the driver of one of the trains had died. Nine people remain in a critical condition.
The trains collided at around 5:15pm local time (1615 GMT) on Friday.
Providing an update on those injured in the crash on Saturday, British Transport Police Chief Constable Lucy D'Orsi said more than 80 people had received hospital treatment on Friday night.
"As of this morning, 28 remain in hospital, and nine are in a critical condition," she said. Investigators were working to establish what caused the accident, D'Orsi added.
The collision took place around 60 miles, or 100 kilometres, north of London. Both trains involved in the incident were London-bound services operated by East Midlands Railway.
A video posted on social media by one passenger showed what appeared to be the front of one train tangled with the rear of another, while the carriages appeared to remain upright on the tracks.
The East of England Ambulance Service said one person died at the scene. In addition, 11 people suffered very serious injuries, 22 others were seriously injured, and 56 people sustained minor injuries.
A doctor named Peter Knapp, who said on Bluesky that he was on board one of the trains, described a “sudden crash” and said one carriage had come off the rails.
He added that he suffered minor injuries in the incident.
PM, king express condolences
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed sorrow over the fatal crash.
“My thoughts are with the family of the person who has sadly lost their life, and with those who have been seriously injured,” Starmer said in a statement.
King Charles' Buckingham Palace also issued a statement, saying: "His Majesty is greatly saddened by the rail crash in Bedford yesterday evening and is being kept regularly updated on developments.
"His thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the deceased and with all those injured or affected by such a tragic incident."
Transport Minister Heidi Alexander said an investigation into the incident was underway. The cause of the collision was not immediately known.
Separate cargo train crash in Munich
In a separate incident, one person died after two cargo trains collided on a bridge in Munich in the early hours of Saturday.
Local police said the crash caused two train carriages to derail and fall onto the street below. The incident took place in Munich’s northern district of Milbertshofen.
Emergency services were alerted to the Munich collision at 1:40am local time, or 2340 GMT on Friday. Around 60 first responders were dispatched to the scene, according to a fire department spokesperson.
A police spokesperson in the southern German city said the cause of the cargo train collision is under investigation.
