Emergency services are responding to a train crash between Luton and Bedford this evening, after two passenger trains collided on the London St Pancras line

One person has been confirmed dead after two trains collided this evening (Friday), with several more injured and a major incident confirmed. There has been a large emergency response following the incident between London St Pancras and Bedford, which involved two passenger trains.

Images of the aftermath appear to show two damaged East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains that are still on the tracks. At least one is a Luton Airport Express train and passengers could be seen gathering by the neighbouring fields.

The collision happened just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6.

Bedford hospital was expecting at least 50 casualties to arrive and had ordered “all hands on deck”, The Times is reporting. Appeals have been sent for staff to come in to assist with the response.

In a statement, British Transport Police said: “Officers are continuing to respond to a collision between two trains on the line in Bedford, following reports around 5.15pm today (19 June). We know that a number of people have been injured and one person has very sadly died.

“A major incident has been declared, and officers are continuing to respond at the scene alongside colleagues from Bedfordshire Police and the local Fire and Rescue and Ambulance Services. The collision involved two East Midlands Railway trains.”

Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy said: “We’ve declared a major incident and a significant emergency service response is ongoing. We’re working at pace to establish exactly what’s happened and will provide further information as soon as we are able to”.

The statement added: “Officers from British Transport Police and Bedfordshire Police are on scene with colleagues from the local authority to assist any members of the public concerned about loved ones.”

ThamesLink stated on its website: “The emergency services are dealing with an incident between Luton and Bedford. Whilst they carry out their work, all lines are closed.

“As a result, trains between London St Pancras International and Bedford / Leicester may be cancelled or revised. This is expected until the end of the day.”

It further added: “Trains are unable to run in or out on London St Pancras for the remainder of this evening. Passengers are advised not to travel.”

National Rail confirmed: “Emergency services are dealing with an incident between Luton and Bedford. Whilst they carry out their work, all lines are closed. As a result, trains between London St Pancras International and Bedford / Leicester may be cancelled or revised. This is expected until the end of the day.”

East Midlands Railway services said that its services to and from London St Pancras are also suspended for the remainder of today.

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.”

Dr Pete Knapp wrote on Bluesky: “Train heading south from Bedford crashed at 17:12. Front of train ok, third carriage off rails. “I’m ok with bloody legs and back impact.

“Others are not good. Sudden crash, no slowing down or horns. No warning.

“No explosion, just stopped instantly.”

Dr Knapp, 40, 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.

“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.”

He said he had not felt the train slow down before the crash, but other passengers told him they had. He told PA 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.

He said: “I’ve got blood all over my trousers and my back hurts like hell but I’m alright.”

Bedford and Kempston MP Mohammad Yasin said he was “very sorry” to hear of the train crash between Bedford and Luton 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.”

Heidi Alexander said she was “deeply concerned” by reports of a collision between two passenger trains in Bedfordshire.

In a post on X, the Transport Secretary 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.”

A Rail, Maritime and Transport union spokesperson said: “We are deeply concerned by reports of a train collision between Bedford and Luton and the serious injuries sustained by on-board train staff and passengers. The thoughts of the whole union are with those affected and we continue to monitor the situation.”

Stuart May, aged 82, was unmasked as a paedophile in 2023 before being convicted of further sex offences against boys in the 1970s

A paedophile ex-scout leader had his jail time doubled for new offences after describing prison as ‘hell’. Stuart May committed a strong of offences against multiple boys in the 1970s the when he was a scout leader in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, preying upon his victims in his car, on trips and the scout hut.

May was exposed as a child sex predator in 2023 and admitted to 11 offences in relation to four boys before he was sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison.

Since then three more victims have come forward. And even though May, now 82, confessed his previous crimes he put the latest complainants through the ordeal of a trial. Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter

Ultimately they were vindicated and a jury found May guilty of six charges of indecent assault on a male and two counts of indecency with a child.

Some of the sexual attacks took place at his home and others in his scout office and at a public swimming pool, reports Birmingham Live.

At Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday, June 18 he was sentenced to another eight years, to run consecutively to his previous term.

May, most recently of Leicestershire, had been expecting to be moved to an open prison ahead of a possible release in November next year but that has now been quashed.

One of the victims, who was the subject of five of the latest offences, said May had ‘destroyed so many young lives’.

He recalled blaming himself for the abuse he was subjected to and prayed every day because he was from a religious family and feared he would go to hell.

He told May that after he was gone he would be remembered in the ‘most horrific form’ as a child abuser and paedophile.

Peter Glenser, prosecuting, said May had groomed the boys and abused his position of trust.

Describing May’s demeanour at trial he added: “He expressed precious little insight into his offending and into the devastation he has reaped on the lives of young children.”

Sharon Bailey, defending, confirmed May was married but told the court both he and his wife were fortunate to have no serious health issues at present.

She said: “He is painfully aware his wife has been left on her own and he is painfully aware the sentence passed today may mean he never leaves custody.”

The barrister added: “Serving a prison sentence at his time of life has been particularly difficult. He was fortunate in two of the prisons he has been kept in, they had particular facilities for people of his age.

“At the moment he is in HMP Birmingham. He describes that experience as ‘nothing short of hell’.”

Ms Bailey concluded that May last offended in 1977.

Judge Roderick Henderson, passing sentence, told him: “This is the most obvious case of grooming and abuse of a position as a scout master who was trusted in the community.

“It was made worse by manipulating those boys to keep quiet, telling them they would be in trouble if they let anyone know what you had done to them.”

He added: “You told a lot of lies in this trial.

“One thing you did say that I have no doubt was true, was that between then and now you didn’t give those boys much thought at all until the chickens came home to roost.”

Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice

“For Nigel Farage, the Makerfield result is crushing. His party’s senior leadership expected to be the story of the night. Instead, it fell more than 9,000 votes short and was relegated to a footnote”

Andy Burnham’s win in Makerfield was not protest noise. It was proof that voters still have not given up hope that Labour can deliver the change they were promised.

Crucially, they did not turn to Reform in frustration. Instead, they turned out in greater numbers and backed Labour to finish the job. That is renewal, not rejection.

For Nigel Farage, the Makerfield result is crushing. His party’s senior leadership expected to be the story of the night. Instead, it fell more than 9,000 votes short and was relegated to a footnote.

But Labour cannot simply celebrate. The result has forced a timetable onto a choice it can no longer avoid.

Sir Keir Starmer says he will not walk away, but that cannot shield him from the urgency of this message. The question is not whether Labour needs a new face. It is who charts its new and faster course.

Drift and denial are no longer options for Labour. For now, trust has been renewed. It will, however, not survive further months of inaction.

Please, think twice

Britain could face its hottest June day on record next week, with temperatures forecast to hit 34C. As the heat builds, so will the temptation for youngsters to cool off in rivers, lakes and reservoirs.

One of our Save Lives for Sam campaign messages is a simple plea: please, think twice. Cold water can kill within minutes, whatever the temperature and however strong a swimmer you believe yourself to be.

Last month’s heatwave claimed 19 lives, including 13 children. That is exactly why we launched our fight, and why the Mirror will keep going until every young person understands the danger.

We urge ministers to bring campaigners, experts and families together before the school holidays begin, when most of these needless losses happen.

Every drowning is a tragedy. Almost every one can be prevented.

Kick in the teeth

World Cup fever is high, and the Premier League fixtures are now out, so fans are daring to dream again.

But as clubs bank huge TV riches and players earn millions, season ticket rises are a kick in the teeth.

As clubs grow richer and players earn more, they must remember supporters hit by the cost of living. Loyalty should not be exploited.