UMVA has learned that a catastrophic collision ripped through the rail line just south of Bedford on Friday, sending two passenger trains into a deadly embrace.
Witnesses describe a scene of chaos, with shattered carriages and bloodied passengers sprawled on the floor, a grim tableau that left the town in shock.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue rushed to the scene, racing against time to pull survivors from twisted metal and administer urgent care.
Preliminary reports point to serious injuries, though the exact number of wounded remains uncertain and no fatalities have been confirmed.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that investigators have noted the train driver was engaged in a phone conversation with maintenance staff about a safety concern at the moment the disaster unfolded.
Officials have issued a stern warning for the public to steer clear of the area as the investigation unfolds, and the story continues to develop.
