Train crash

So very sad to hear of the death of the driver and injuries to passengers.
I have often wondered why we don't have seat belts in trains. I can't think of any other transport methods that don't require them. Even if they only prevented a few injuries it would be worth it.

So sorry to hear about this. Thinking of all those affected, so sad to hear that the driver has been killed. We have train drivers in the family, that brings home the reality of this tragedy.

I agree that optional seat belts would be a start towards improved safety in the carriages.

Well they are compulsory in cars and planes why not in trains it would save people being thrown around and injured

Optional seat-belts would be a start. Not sure I'd like to see them compulsory.

I don't know, people use seat belts on long coach trips, I think if you begin to establish something as custom and practice so to speak, it often becomes embedded in people's routines

Reading the comments of the survivors it struck me that many commented on the seats being ‘thrown around. This must have contributed to many injuries. I wonder just how stringent the standards are for internal fittings which have the potential to cause injury in the event of a high impact crash.

It also struck me that seatbelts could have made a difference, though I doubt if anyone would use them on a train.

As others have said, my sympathies to the family of the driver and those who were seriously injured and their families

Apparently it can take almost 2 miles to bring a train to a complete stop. Extremely sad.

The fatality is the driver of the second train. They would not had stood a chance with a faulty signal and the train in front having stopped. My thoughts for all concerned and their families.

I just read that a faulty signal caused the crash, may or may not be true.
My sympathies to all involved, and well done to the emergency services.

Sad news for us, we lived in North Bedfordshire for 7 years while DH was working on the electrification of the Bedford To St Pancras line.

Northernsoulnanna

Not forgetting our Bedford Hospital and the Luton & Dunstable, Addenbrookes, and the fantastic Air Ambulances.
I was at an event a few weeks ago, the air ambulance was called.
The skill of the pilot was amazeing he managed to land on a patch of ground surrounded by trees.

I do think things work well when there is an emergency.
Most of the time anyway.

I am wondering if the train brakes didnt work at all.
There is a long[well relatively] straight piece of track either side of the station stop.

Not forgetting our Bedford Hospital and the Luton & Dunstable, Addenbrookes, and the fantastic Air Ambulances.
I was at an event a few weeks ago, the air ambulance was called.
The skill of the pilot was amazeing he managed to land on a patch of ground surrounded by trees.

So sad and awful, happened not too far from me.
Well done to the quick response of the emergency services (my son being one of them)

It's Heartbreaking news, those people will struggle for a while, the poor Drivers family so awful.
I once met a man who was a Train Driver that was involved in a head to head train crash about 20 years ago, people died. It was a No driver fault incident but signal/points failure, it put both trains on same line.
I will never forget that poor man. He was destroyed a walking shell of a man.
I believe he was unable to return to work, I wonder every time I hear of a train incident, how he got on? It was so sad.

Ironically it’s rail safety week this week.

I have emailed Brighton Railway Station to compliment them on how efficiently they handled the increasing number of passengers arriving at the station in the aftermath of the accident. There were no services for those of us heading towards London Bridge. Instead, we were directed to use the services running towards Victoria Station, which also stopped at Gatwick Airport for those travelling to and from the airport. We were assured that our Thameslink tickets would be accepted the Southern Service which runs to Victoria. The efficiency of the station's staff avoided what could have resulted in the potential dangerous overcrowding at the station.

11 people were very seriously hurt. I hope that they and all the others who were hurt will get better soon.
Thoughts for the train driver who died and his family. 🥀

The train driver has died.
I woke this morning and thought, I cant see how the train driver will have been ok.

All very sad.

It’s pretty horrific and 1 dead and 33 badly injured.

Hoping they make a full recovery x

do you know, I've never noticed there was a stop there. I thought it just went Bedford to Flitwick

Kempston Hardwick I would say.
I got off there last year.

I don't think there is a stop is there? it looks like it is nr Kempston Hardwick by the cement place

kittylester

The news i just heard on BBC Breakfast was the driver of one train died and 89 people were hurt.

There was speculation that the front train had stopped.

If it is where I think it is, there is a train stop there.
Rather like in Railway Children, where you are stopped in the middle of nowhere.
There is a long track to see, either side of it.
The track crosses a small country road.
There is nothing like a ticket office there. Just a few benches.
No shelter either.

A tragic accident and the train driver died RIP.

Well done to all the emergency responders and L and D hospital. Thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured.