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Two trains have collided in the Bedford area, authorities have said, with police and other emergency services at the scene.

The collision, which is reported to have caused injuries, has also caused major delays to the evening commute, with lines closed between Luton and Bedford, Thameslink said.

East Midlands Railway posted on X at about 5.30pm that trains were unable to run between London St Pancras and Leicester “due to emergency service dealing with an incident”.

The British Transport Police said its officers were responding to the collision, as did Bedfordshire police and Bedfordshire fire and rescue.

“We are asking for people to avoid the area,” Bedfordshire police said.

East Midlands Railway services to and from London St Pancras have been suspended for the remainder of today, the train operator added.

The transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, wrote on X: “I’m deeply concerned to hear reports of the collision involving 2 East Midlands Railway passenger trains.

“I’m grateful to emergency services who are on the scene, attending to those affected.

“We’re working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to support passengers.”

The East of England ambulance service said an air ambulance and the Hazardous Area Response Team is responding to the “major incident” south of Bedford.

“We encourage people to avoid the area,” it added.

Video posted on social media showed a damaged purple Luton Express train and passengers standing along the tracks.

Dr Pete Knapp, a passenger, posted on Bluesky: “Train heading south from Bedford crashed at 17:12. Front of train ok, third carriage off rails.

“I’m ok with bloody legs and back impact. Others are not good. Sudden crash, no slowing down or horns. No warning.

“No explosion, just stopped instantly.”

Bedford and Kempston MP, Mohammad Yasin, said he was “very sorry” to hear of the incident and would share more information “soon”.