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What we know about deadly Bedford train crash and emergency response

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch released a preliminary report on the June 19 crash. One train passed a red signal and hit another service that had stopped due to a warning system error. The approaching train slowed to 49mph before the collision.

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What changed

Initial findings identify a passed red signal and a braking system error as contributing factors.

Live updates

  1. Investigation reveals cause of fatal Bedford train collision

    The Rail Accident Investigation Branch released a preliminary report on the June 19 crash. One train passed a red signal and hit another service that had stopped due to a warning system error. The approaching train slowed to 49mph before the collision.

    What's confirmed:

    • The collision involved the 16:40 Corby to London St Pancras service and the 15:50 Nottingham to London St Pancras service.
    • One train passed a red signal before the crash.
    • The train that was hit had stopped because a warning system wrongly caused it to brake.
    • The Rail Accident Investigation Branch is conducting the investigation.
    • Both trains were East Midlands Railway services heading toward London.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The approaching train slowed to 49mph at the point of collision.
    confidence 90%

  2. Two East Midlands Railway trains collide near Bedford

    A collision between two East Midlands Railway services on June 19 killed one driver and injured over 100 people. Nine victims remain in critical condition. The crash occurred at 17:15 BST on the Midland Main Line south of Elstow.

    What's confirmed:

    • The collision occurred on June 19, 2026, at 17:15 BST.
    • One train driver died in the accident.
    • More than 100 people were injured.
    • Nine injured people are in critical condition.
    • The accident involved a 15:50 service from Nottingham and a 16:40 service from Corby.
    • Both trains were operated by East Midlands Railway.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The first train was a five-car Class 810 Aurora unit and the second was a four-car Class 360 Desiro unit.
    • The crash happened south of Elstow.
    confidence 90%

  3. Driver killed and nine critical after Bedford train collision

    A Luton Airport Express train collided with a stationary East Midlands Railway service near Kempston on Friday at approximately 5:15pm BST. One driver died and around 100 people were injured. As of Saturday morning, 28 people remained in hospital with nine in critical condition.

    What's confirmed:

    • The collision occurred near Kempston between Luton and Bedford at about 5:15pm on Friday.
    • One train driver died in the crash.
    • The accident involved a Luton Airport Express service and a stationary East Midlands Railway train.
    • Nine people were in critical condition as of Saturday morning.
    • A total of 28 people remained in hospital on Saturday.
    • The crash involved the 3:50pm service from Nottingham to St Pancras International and the 4:40pm service from Corby.
    • Chief Constable Lucy D'Orsi of British Transport Police provided updates on the hospitalizations.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Technical faults were blamed for the crash.
    • 90% of people in one passenger's carriage were injured.
    • 11 people suffered very serious injuries, 32 serious injuries, and 57 minor injuries.
    confidence 90%