Emergency services were called at approximately 5:15 pm local time (16:15 GMT) to the railway line south of Bedford, where the incident occurred between two East Midlands Railway trains.

Video footage shared on social media by a passenger appeared to show the front section of one train tangled with the other, while the carriages remained upright on the tracks.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement: “My condolences are with the family of the person who sadly lost their life and with those who were seriously injured.”