Bedford Train Crash: Fire chief’s immense pride at how ‘deeply distressing incident’ was tackled

Andy Hopkinson of Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue was giving a statement following the accident which happened at around 5.12pm on Friday just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6.

Speaking to the media this afternoon at the cordon in Manor Road/Ampthill Road, he began by offering his deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the train driver who died in the incident and added: “Our thoughts are also with those who were injured an everyone else affected by what was a deeply distressing incident.”

He said the fire service were called at 5.14pm yesterday to reports of a collision between two passenger trains just outside of Bedford.

"We mobilised over 20 fire appliances and specialised vehicles and at the height of the response over 70 firefighters and officers were involved at the scene.”

He said there had been no fire, but that crews worked on the wider rescue effort, making the scene safe and assisting with the evacuation of passengers from both trains.

He added: “This was a major incident requiring a substantial and coordinated emergency response. I am immensively proud of our firefighters, fire control staff and officers who responded with incredible professionalism, courage and compassion in very difficult circumstances.

"While our resources have now left the scene, we will continue to support the multi-agency response in any way that we can.”

Paul Gates, Deputy Chief Paramedic at East of England Ambulance Service, thanked everyone involved in the large scale response.

He confirmed: “Tragically, one person sadly died at the scene, 11 people sustained very serious injuries and a further 32 had serious injuries.

"Those will less serious injuries were treated on scene or conveyed to hospital as required.

“In total the East of England Ambulance Service transported 64 patients to hospital.”

Mr Gates said “significant resources” had been dispatched including more than 20 ambulances, specialist hazardous area rescue teams, along with six air ambulance partners and also volunteer critical responders.

He concluded: “We would like to thank all the emergency services colleagues for their swift, coordinated and professional responses yesterday afternoon and evening.”

In a statements issue separately after the press conference, Nicola Ebbs, Deputy Medical Director at East Anglian Air Ambulance, said: "On Friday 19 June, East Anglian Air Ambulance, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance and Magpas Air Ambulance were dispatched by the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust to support the response to the major incident in Bedfordshire.

"East Anglian Air Ambulance deployed three critical care assets to the scene: our Norwich-based helicopter, our Cambridge-based helicopter and our Cambridge-based critical care car. Together, these assets brought three specialist critical care teams, comprising doctors, critical care paramedics and pilots, to support patients and emergency service colleagues.

“Working alongside London's Air Ambulance, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, The Air Ambulance Service, BHECCS and other emergency service partners, our teams delivered advanced critical care to those who had sustained serious injuries.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families, friends and communities affected by this tragic incident.

“As air ambulance charities, we are able to respond to emergencies only because of the generosity of our supporters and local communities. On behalf of the patients and families whose lives are touched by our services, thank you."

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Magpas Air Ambulance said: “Our teams provided advanced critical care to those who were seriously injured.

“Three Magpas Air Ambulance critical care teams attended the scene. After the initial call came through to EEAST at 17:15, our helicopter was immediately dispatched with our first crew at 17:19, placing the team among the first medical resources on scene and the first air ambulance service to arrive on site.

“Due to our close proximity to the scene from our airbase in Alconbury Weald, we also dispatched two additional crews in rapid response vehicles to further support patient assessment, treatment and critical care interventions. A total of nine Magpas Air Ambulance clinicians attended the scene in total, triaging and treating 30 of the most seriously injured patients in their time of need.

“Incidents such as this demonstrate the importance of specialist critical care teams being able to respond rapidly when patients need them most.”

Daryl Brown MBE, Chief Executive Officer of Magpas Air Ambulance, added: "I am incredibly proud of our critical care teams and aircrew, who responded with professionalism, skill and compassion in the most challenging of circumstances. Their commitment to delivering lifesaving care when patients need it most is extraordinary, and I would like to personally thank them for everything they did last night.”

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