The Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, visited Bedford on Thursday, 2nd July, to personally thank those who responded to the train crash on Friday, 19th June, at Elstow, a few miles south of the town.

Lord Hendy met people from the railway industry, charities, and the local community at the Borough Council offices in Bedford. Thanking them for the response to the incident, he spoke with Councillors and representatives from British Transport Police, the Salvation Army, East Midlands Railway, Greater Thameslink Railway (GTR), the Office for Rail and Road (ORR), the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), Trades Unions, and Network Rail and its contractors.

Following the crash, staff and volunteers from the local community and a range of organisations provided emergency care, whilst staff from across the rail industry worked to secure the site so that the RAIB could make a preliminary investigation into the cause. Work also continued to remove the trains, repair the track, and get services running again.

Among the help provided by staff and volunteers was manning a dedicated care line, providing financial and practical assistance, and recovering passengers’ belongings. Professional wellbeing support is also available for anyone involved in the incident.

The RAIB has already published its initial report with a factual account of the collision and will publish a full report as soon as it has completed its full investigation.

On Thursday, 25th June, Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, met people who offered their help after the crash.

“My thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. I recognise the lasting impact this has had on the bereaved passengers, families and all those who responded, and we will continue to support the rail industry in ensuring those affected receive the care they need. “I want to thank everyone who responded to this incident for their professionalism, dedication and compassion. This collective response demonstrated the very best of the railway family, our partner organisations and the local community.”

Rail Minister, Lord Hendy