The crash, which killed a train driver, involved two East Midlands Railway services on the same line shortly after 5pm on Friday
Twenty eight people remain in hospital, nine of them in a critical condition, after two trains collided near Bedford, police have said.
The crash, which killed a train driver, and injured 100 others, involved two East Midlands Railway (EMR) services, with one smashing into the back of the other on the same line shortly after 5pm on Friday.
Speaking at a press conference near the scene on Saturday, British Transport Police Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said: “Tragically, the driver of one of the trains died in the collision.
“His family have been informed and our deepest condolences are with them, his friends, and his colleagues at East Midlands Railway.
“The driver’s family, as you would expect, are being supported by specially trained officers at this difficult time.”
She said more than 80 people had been treated in hospital on Friday night.
“As of this morning, 28 remain in hospital, and nine are in a critical condition,” Ms D’Orsi said.
She thanked emergency service teams and railway staff for their response to the incident, adding: “I also want to thank local people who showed immense kindness to those stranded on trains and to the casualties.”
Paul Gates, strategic commander at the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAS), said: “Tragically, one person died at the scene. 11 people sustained very serious injuries, a further 32 were seriously injured, and 57 others suffered minor injuries.”
Andy Hopkinson, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue chief fire officer, said more than 70 fire officers had been involved in the response, adding that there had been no fire during the incident.
The two trains involved were the 4.40pm departure from Corby and the 3.50pm departure from Nottingham, both to London St Pancras.
East Midlands Railway’s managing director Will Rogers said it was a “profoundly sad day for the railway community” and that the company was supporting the investigation into the incident.
He said “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with family, friends, and colleagues of our driver and everybody else who has been injured or affected by this tragic incident.
“Our priority is the welfare of everybody involved and we are here for customers and our colleagues.”
He added: “We’re fully supporting the Rail Accident Investigation Branch investigation and our thoughts are firmly with the family and loved ones of our colleague and everybody injured or affected by this tragic incident.
“This is a profoundly sad day for the railway community.
“I’d like to thank everybody that has responded to this incident.”
Earlier on Saturday, Buckingham Palace said the King was “greatly saddened” by the crash and that his “thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the deceased and with all those injured of affected by such a tragic incident”, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in a post on X that he had spoken with the chief executive of EEAS.
“I expressed my gratitude to the air ambulance crews, the emergency services who responded under extremely difficult circumstances, as well as the NHS staff taking care of the injured,” Sir Keir said.
“My thoughts are with all those affected by this devastating incident.”
Passenger Pete Knapp described people “crying, screaming” and said some seemed to have major injuries.
Dr Knapp told the Press Association: “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.”
The 40-year-old said 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.
Brett Byatt, another passenger on board, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he was among three or four people in his carriage who were not injured, adding: “Everyone else had either a serious wound that was bleeding profusely, or a situation where they couldn’t stand, or couldn’t move their neck, or I saw a woman’s snapped leg.”
Mr Byatt, a teacher, who lives in Bedford, said he was now feeling “angry” the morning after the collision.
“I don’t know at whom, who specifically, but it’s more about we’ve got one of the oldest railway networks and signal failures happen a lot, and now I’m just wondering… why wasn’t that signalled to my train and why did that train driver lose his life over this?” he said.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said its inspectors continued to gather evidence at the scene on Saturday.
“RAIB will conduct a full, independent safety investigation into this tragic accident,” a spokesperson for the agency said on X. “We will provide a further update in the coming days once we know more.”
Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally said her prayers were with the family of the driver who was killed and all those injured.
Writing on X, she added: “May God comfort and protect them, and equip all those who are caring for them in the aftermath of this tragic incident.”
On Friday, Sir Keir described the crash as “hugely concerning” and said he was “grateful to the emergency services for their swift response”.
There was a huge emergency response to the crash, which happened just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6. It included multiple air ambulance helicopters and road vehicles.
Police and network rail crews remained at the scene on Saturday as reporters were allowed on to a field next to the railway line to get a closer view of the site.
The front of the train from Corby has been crushed where it collided with the rear of the train from Nottingham.
On the rear train, which has Luton Airport Express livery, there was visible damage to the rear of the carriages which had been shunted into ones in front.
Network Rail said on Saturday that part of the East Midlands route remained closed as the emergency response continued and teams assessed damage to the trains and infrastructure.
The company said it would provide updates when it had a clearer understanding of the recovery work required and when services can safely reopen, adding that passengers should check with their train operator for the latest travel advice.
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