A train driver has been killed and 89 people injured after two passenger trains collided near Bedford, prompting British Transport Police to declare a major incident.

Emergency services said 11 people sustained very serious injuries, 22 suffered serious injuries and a further 56 people were treated for minor injuries following the collision involving two southbound East Midlands Railway (EMR) services heading to London St Pancras on Friday afternoon.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said the union was “devastated to learn that a train driver and former RMT rep has tragically died” in the collision.

In a statement, British Transport Police said the crash occurred at about 17:15 BST.

“Tragically, one person was pronounced dead at the scene. He is the driver of one of the trains involved and his family have been informed,” the statement said.

Following the incident, EMR suspended all services to and from London St Pancras for the remainder of Friday evening.