King sends sympathies to train crash families after it's revealed NNC gold command staff offered mutual aid to neighbours in Bedfordshire
His Majesty King Charles has offered his sympathies to those involved in last night’s train crash that included dozens of people from Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough.
The 4.40pm from Corby and the 3.50pm from Nottingham crashed at about 5.15pm yesterday in Bedforshire. They were both travelling in the same direction.
The driver of the Corby train died, and 88 people suffered injuries in the disaster.
North Northamptonshire Council leader Martin Griffiths was travelling from the capital when the collision happened and journeyed back on diverted trains via Northampton while the emergency services worked.
He said that NNC emergency’s gold command planning staff offered mutual aid to their neighbours in Bedfordshire.
Cllr Griffiths said: “Our prayers and thoughts are for all the victims of this tragic accident and their families and loved-ones.
"As these were two southbound trains, one from Corby and the other, which will have picked up passengers from our stations, it is likely that a number of the victims will be residents of North Northamptonshire.”
Meanwhile, King Charles II issued a statement this morning. It said: “His majesty is greatly saddened by the rail crash in Bedford yesterday evening and is being kept regularly updated on developments.
"His thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the deceased and with all those injured or affected by such a tragic accident.”
The line is still blocked at Bedford and will be for some time. Network Rail said this morning that they do not yet know when it will reopen as they are still assessing the damage.
Passengers from our area are urged to take different routes to the capital. No direct trains to London were due to be running this weekend due to engineering works, but northbound routes from Kettering are still operating. Trains between Corby and Kettering are running. You can find out more information about your journey here.