NETWORK Rail has described the fatal train crash near Bedford as a “tragic, isolated incident,” with rail services disrupted until June 28 during a “complex recovery operation.”

The collision killed a train driver and injured 100 others when one East Midlands Railway train smashed into the back of another shortly after 5pm on Friday. 

British Transport Police said more than 80 people were treated in hospital, with nine in a critical condition.

Network Rail’s Ellie Burrows said: “Please expect disruption to services through this area for the majority of next week and only travel if absolutely necessary.”

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch said it would conduct “a full, independent safety investigation” into the crash.

Aslef said its thoughts are with the family, friends and loved ones of the train driver, who was a union member, and with the passengers and crew.

It also thanked emergency workers for their response. 

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said he was “devastated” by the death of the driver, a former union rep, saying: “The thoughts of RMT are with their family, friends, colleagues and the Aslef trade union at this awful time.”