A train collision on Friday north of London resulted in at least 89 people being injured and Friday commutes into the city halted as emergency services responded to the incident. File Photo by Justin Lane/EPA-EFE
June 19 (UPI) — Two passenger trains collided north of London on Friday evening, snaring commutes as several train lines were closed as emergency services responded to the scene.
The two trains collided in Bedford, one from Corby and the other from Nottingham on the way to London St. Pancras, resulting in rail services to and from London St. Pancras being suspended, ABC News, The BBC and The Guardian reported.
The British Transport Police reported that 89 people were injured in the collision, 11 of whom were being treated for “very serious injuries.”
Officials are asking people to avoid the area, whether they are commuting or looking for a loved one, and local hospitals asked people not to come to the emergency room unless they have a serious emergency.
“I’m grateful to emergency services who are on the scene, attending to those affected,” British Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander said in a statement on X.
“We’re working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to support passengers,” she said.
The collision occurred just after 3:00 p.m. local time on Friday as both trains were headed toward London.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the incident “hugely concerning” as other officials noted that a cause for the collision is not known yet but a full investigation will be conducted.
