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Praise for train crash medics who went 'above and beyond'

Alex Pope
BBC An ambulance outside a hospital block, that is beige in colour. People with high-vis jackets are to the right, and traffic cones and a red plastic barrier, by a crossing. Other people are standing to the left, by another emergency vehicle. BBC
Many of the injured were taken to Bedford Hospital on Friday night

Medical staff who treated dozens of people injured in the Bedford train crash have been praised for going "above and beyond" during an "exceptionally challenging situation".

Cathy Jones, the acting chief executive of Bedford and Luton and Dunstable Hospitals, said staff worked at short notice and many turned up "simply because they wanted to help".

She expressed her "deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Shaun Burton, the train driver who tragically died following the collision".

Addenbrooke's Hospital, in Cambridge, which also treated injured travellers, said: "Across every service, colleagues stepped forward."

EPA/Shutterstock Two police officers, by the side of a purple train, that is on a railway track. There are lights and vehicles to the left. You can see several lines of railway track. EPA/Shutterstock
Emergency services were called to the collision on the tracks just south of Bedford, on Friday afternoon

British Transport Police have confirmed that 53 people remain in hospital and eight are in a critical condition.

Emergency crews were called to the tracks, close to Elstow, at about 17:15 BST on Friday.

'Incredible teamwork'

Jones, from Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Our thoughts remain with those who were injured, and everyone who has been affected by this incident.

"We are incredibly proud of the way our staff and partners responded during such an exceptionally challenging situation."

She added she was "deeply moved" by the "incredible teamwork that shone through across our organisation and our community".

"Staff came in at short notice, including many who were not scheduled to work, simply because they wanted to help.

"Teams across both Bedford Hospital and the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital went above and beyond to ensure patients received safe, compassionate care from the moment they arrived."

She praised the local volunteer groups and emergency services partners "whose professionalism and coordination were vital in managing such a complex incident".

The Cambridgeshire-based Magpas Air Ambulance said it dispatched 10 medical team members and treated 30 of the most seriously injured patients.

Daryl Brown, its chief executive, said it was prepared for "20 fatalities" and transported one patient to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS FT The outside of The Luton and Dunstable Hospital, showing one person walking into an entrance. The building is black brick, with a large beige front. White boarding is to the right and metal railings. Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS FT
Patients were also sent to the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital

In a joint note to staff at Addenbrooke's Hospital, its chairman, Baroness Sally Morgan, and chief executive officer, Nicola Ayton, said: "At a time of great uncertainty and distress for those affected, colleagues from across the organisation came together without hesitation to provide expert care, support patients' loved ones and help one another.

"From teams delivering direct patient care to colleagues in support and enabling services, those coordinating the response, and those keeping our site and essential services running, your professionalism, compassion and commitment shone through."

They said colleagues acted "quickly, calmly and effectively".

"Teams came in on their days off, offered additional support and worked around the clock to ensure we could respond to the emerging incident."

They also thanked the public for their patience and understanding.

Dr Peter Knapp A large group of people, who have come off a train, in a road, by emergency vehicles and other people. There is an ambulance, fire engine, and another police car, to the right. Many people are looking at their phones. Dr Peter Knapp
Many people on the train were treated at the scene by medical staff and volunteers

Jones said: "The way everyone pulled together reflects the very best of Bedfordshire and our surrounding counties."

She also commended the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, and neighbouring hospitals who helped.

"I want to thank every member of staff, every volunteer, and every partner organisation for their extraordinary efforts.

"Their commitment and humanity made a profound difference when it mattered most."

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