LONDON, June 20 — One person was killed and dozens others were injured, including 11 in “very serious” condition, after two passenger trains collided north of London on Friday, UK emergency services said.
LONDON, June 20 — One person was killed and dozens others were injured, including 11 in “very serious” condition, after two passenger trains collided north of London on Friday, UK emergency services said.
The crash happened late in the afternoon near Bedford, about 56 miles (90 kilometres) north of London, involving two London-bound trains travelling on the same line, according to East Midlands Railway (EMR).
A passenger, Pete Knapp, described the moment of impact to the Press Association news agency.
“There was a moment of being flung into the chair in front, and then I saw smoke. People were crying, screaming, people were so scared and confused,” he said.
“I saw a lot of people who were unable to speak, had broken legs,” he added.
The East of England Ambulance Service later confirmed that one person died at the scene in an update issued nearly five hours after the collision.
It said 11 people suffered very serious injuries, 22 were seriously injured, and 56 others sustained minor injuries. Minor cases were treated at the scene or taken to hospital where necessary.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the incident as “hugely concerning”, extending condolences to the family of the deceased and wishing a swift recovery for the injured. He also thanked emergency responders for their rapid action.
Air ambulances were deployed as part of the large-scale emergency response, with more than 20 ambulances and six air ambulances dispatched.
Unverified footage shared on social media showed passengers evacuating and walking along the tracks near the damaged East Midlands Railway trains. Some initially gathered in a nearby field after leaving the carriages.
Both trains reportedly remained upright, though at least one carriage appeared to have derailed based on aerial images broadcast by media outlets.
Knapp, who was in the front carriage, said he was “in shock” but suffered only minor injuries.
“I’m ok with bloody legs and back impact. Others are not good,” he said.
Another passenger, Teresa Itabor, told the BBC she heard a “massive bang” before being thrown forward.
“I opened my eyes and that’s when I saw people on the floor with blood everywhere,” she said.
East Midlands Railway confirmed the trains involved were both bound for London St Pancras station, one departing from Corby and the other from Nottingham. Services to and from the station were suspended for the rest of the evening.
British Transport Police declared a major incident, while the Rail Accident Investigation Branch sent inspectors to the site.
Rail crashes are rare in Britain, though previous incidents include a 2023 collision at Aviemore in Scotland and a 2020 derailment near Stonehaven caused by a landslip. — AFP
PARIS, June 21 — France is set to hold its annual street music festival on Sunday under extreme heat conditions, with about a third of the country placed under the highest-level heat warning and alcohol consumption banned in affected areas.
GEORGE TOWN, June 21 — The Penang government has approved RM129,900 under its Youth Development Fund this year to support 68 youth programmes organised by 48 associations across the state.
LONDON, June 20 — One person was killed and dozens others were injured, including 11 in “very serious” condition, after two passenger trains collided north of London on Friday, UK emergency services said.