‘People were screaming and crying’: Witness recalls being ‘flung’ into chair as trains collided near Bedford

‘People were screaming and crying’: Witness recalls being ‘flung’ into chair as trains collided near Bedford The collision happened just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6 on Friday - Bookmark A witness described how people were “crying and screaming” following a train crash near Bedford on Friday. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue crews attended the scene just south of Bedford, with police confirming that two trains collided in the area. Aerial footage of the aftermath shows two damaged East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains with most carriages on the tracks but at least one shunted off. Footage shows a long line of emergency vehicles on a rural road as emergency crews and passengers gathered in the neighbouring field. Eyewitness, Dr Pete Knapp, 40, said: “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. “I got up and I saw a lot of people who were unable to speak, had broken legs, and then I managed to get out of the train and because I’m quite thin I was able to squeeze out through the gap in the doors.” He added: “My first thought was I needed to get out of the train just in case it was a terrorist explosion, I thought it was safer to get off the train.” Dr Knapp said he had not felt the train slow down before the crash, but other passengers told him they had. He said he he saw people with “life-threatening, major injuries, minor injuries” as well as “people with bandages, people who couldn’t see straight”, while others like him were still able to walk. Dr Knapp added: “I’ve got blood all over my trousers and my back hurts like hell but I’m alright.” People have been urged to avoid the area. One of the trains appears to be a Luton Airport Express service and air ambulance helicopters are on the ground. The collision happened just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6 and British Transport Police have asked relatives and friends of passengers not to travel to the scene. Serious injuries have reportedly been sustained by on-board staff and passengers, a Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union spokesperson said. One passenger said he was on the southbound train travelling to London St Pancras when it crashed at 5.12pm leaving the “front of train OK, third carriage off rails.” EMR trains are “unable to run in or out of” London St Pancras for the rest of the day, the service reported. It added: “Customers are advised DO NOT TRAVEL this evening”. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was “deeply concerned” by the reports. In a post on X, she 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.” Bedford and Kempston MP Mohammad Yasin said he was “very sorry” to hear of the incident and would share more information “soon”. In a post on his Facebook page, he said: “I’m very sorry to hear there has been a train collision between Bedford and Luton. Emergency services are at the scene. “I will try to share more details soon.” Transport Salaried Staffs Association general secretary, Maryam Eslamdoust, said it is “devastating to hear of the collision” and “safety on our railways is always our number one priority”. She added: “It’s vital now to let the emergency services do their work. “The thoughts of the entire union are with the passengers and staff and emergency service workers on the trains involved. We send them all our solidarity.” British Transport Police said shortly before 6.45pm: “We’re responding to reports of a collision involving two trains in the Bedford area.” It later added: “We understand that people are concerned about relatives or friends who may have been travelling on the trains involved in the incident near Bedford. “We’re asking people not to travel to the scene and await further updates from emergency services.” The fire and rescue service said: “Crews are currently in attendance at an incident on the railway just south of Bedford. “Please avoid the area. Thank you for your co-operation.” East of England Ambulance Service said: “We have sent a number of resources, including air ambulance and our Hazardous Area Response Team, to a major incident on the railway south of #Bedford. We encourage people to avoid the area. “Further updates will be provided in due course. Please only call 999 in an emergency.”