At least one person died and nearly 90 others were injured when two passenger trains collided Friday evening near Bedford, England. The East of England Ambulance Service declared a "major incident" after being called to the collision near Elstow at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time.
Officials confirmed that one person sustained fatal injuries at the scene. Additionally, 11 individuals suffered very serious injuries, 22 were seriously injured, and 56 had minor injuries. All patients with the most severe injuries were transported to local hospitals.
In response, the ambulance service deployed extensive resources, including over 20 ambulances, specialist hazardous area response teams, and six air ambulances. The Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service also dispatched crews to the scene and urged the public to avoid the area.
Sources cited by The Telegraph suggested the driver of one train may have been on the phone with maintenance staff discussing a safety issue at the time of the crash. Bedford is located approximately 60 miles north of London.