Category: Bedford

The weekend in Elstow usually sees jolly locals romping around the quaint, picturesque village walking their dogs or enjoying a pint at the pub. But on Saturday afternoon, the mood was more sombre.“It’s horrible isn’t it. I hope everyone is all right,” said Nando DiGennaro. “It’s just a one out of a million thing.” The 45-year-old HGV driver is referring to the train crash nearby on Friday that has left the storybook Bedfordshire village, with its Tudor houses and lush, stony gardens, reeling. He said air ambulances hovered above the area into the evening as the scale of the tragedy became clear.Taxi drivers told the Guardian they had driven stranded passengers all the way to London as they scrambled to return home.From those onboard when the trains collided, stories emerged of the sheer shock and terror they faced. Brett Byatt, a teacher from Bedford who was on one of the trains, told the BBC’s Today programme he saw most people on his full carriage “bleeding profusely, or a situation where they couldn’t stand, or they couldn’t move their neck, and I saw a woman snap her leg”.The Salvation Army sent a food lorry to the Elstow area after the collision. Photograph: Chris Radburn/PAAnother passenger onboard one of the struck trains, Dr Peter Knapp, said: “Suddenly there was an impact. I thought it was a bomb, I saw a lot of smoke and people on the floor, bloodied faces. A lot of people crying and screaming. In a video posted on social media, passengers can be seen bloodied and screaming shortly after the impact. “I managed to open the doors and squeeze out. I was in quite a lot of shock, my glasses had fallen off. We were in the middle of nowhere in a field,” Knapp said.The crash between EMR services between St Pancras and Corby and St Pancras and Nottingham has left one train driver dead and nine people in a critical condition. In total 100 people were injured.One Elstow local, who did not want to be named, was in the car with her daughter near the crash site when it became clear “something devastating” had happened. “I witnessed emergency services flying around and you could sense there was panic,” she said. “The sense of worry and anxiety of knowing something dreadful had happened was unnerving in itself.”She said some of her neighbours were on that train. “Some really good friends of mine were on that train and have got significant injuries,” she said, including one with a head injury. Another friend onboard ran out of battery on her phone. “Her husband couldn’t find her until 4am. For him, it must have been tragic not knowing what happened to her.”Elstow high street. Residents of the Bedfordshire village said the mood was ‘sombre’ after the crash. Photograph: Marcus Hill/Getty ImagesThe woman said her friend’s son had full view of the crash site from his house. “There was loads of people throwing out water and food over the fence. They did everything they could to try and help those people,” she said.Her daughter, like many other people in the village, regularly uses the EMR service. “There’s a sombre mood in the village. Everyone’s feeling emotional,” she said.Another villager, who did not want to be named, was on an EMR train back from London after watching Les Miserables. He knew something was amiss when “one of my party started getting texts saying: ‘Are you OK?’”. Not long after, they all began receiving similar messages.“It’s a commuter town and so many people use those trains. Even though it was commuter time thankfully it was a Friday,” he said. Nevertheless, he was concerned because “there was a Harry Styles concert and a lot of people from Bedford were going to that”.He thinks the impact of the crash will be felt throughout the village and the wider area. “Our kids go to the local Bedford school. It’s inevitable that some people connected with the schools will have been impacted,” he said.“It’s the classic shock of ‘it doesn’t happen to us’,” he said. “The trains are such a big part of local life. It makes everybody realise it could have been them or their children.”

Emergency services rushed to the scene of a collision on Friday between two trains north of London. A train driver died and 89 people were injured after two East Midlands railway services collided in the Bedford area. Members of the public were told to stay away from local hospital emergency departments on Friday night unless they were suffering from a genuine emergency

One person is dead and at least 11 are seriously injured after a horror train accident.About 5.15pm local time, two trains collided in Bedfordshire, east of London, British Transport Police said.“We know that a number of people have been injured and one person has very sadly died,” a spokesperson said in a statement.Sign up to The Nightly’s newsletters.Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“A major incident has been declared, and officers are continuing to respond at the scene alongside colleagues from Bedfordshire Police and the local Fire and Rescue and Ambulance Services.“The collision involved two East Midlands Railway trains.”The BBC reported that the crash injured 89 people; 11 of those are very seriously injured, 22 seriously injured, and 56 have minor injuries.It is understood the trains were both travelling to London St Pancras Station, one from Corby and another from Nottingham.A witness told the BBC there was “blood everywhere”.“We left Bedford station and there was a massive bang… I didn’t know what was going on; my head hit the seat in front of me,” Teresa Itabor said.“I opened my eyes and that’s when I saw people on the floor with blood everywhere.“We really didn’t know what was happening for a long time.”She said the carriage doors became jammed during the incident.At least one person is dead and more than 80 have been injured. Credit: Brook Mitchell/Getty ImagesAnother witness, Shola Mene, said it did not feel like the trains were travelling fast at the time of the crash.“It was like a big bang,” she said.“Then people flew from their seats, the seats were pulling, and then someone just flew across and hit my husband in the face.“There was a lot of blood. A lot of people had facial injuries.”The East of England Ambulance Service said that more than 20 ambulances, specialist response teams, and six air ambulances were dispatched.The two nearest hospitals, Bedford Hospital and Luton & Dunstable University Hospital asked the public to avoid the emergency department “unless they (had) a genuine emergency”.UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer offered his condolences to those involved.“Hugely concerning reports of a collision involving two passenger trains near Bedford,” he wrote on X.“First and foremost, my thoughts are with the family of the person who has sadly lost their life, and with those who have been seriously injured.“I am grateful to the emergency services for their swift response to this tragic incident.”Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy said an investigation was underway into what caused the crash and that officers remained on scene.“We’ve declared a major incident and a significant emergency service response is ongoing,” he said.“We’re working at pace to establish exactly what’s happened and will provide further information as soon as we are able to.”All train lines between Bedford and Luton remain closed, with train company Thameslink urging customers to avoid travelling.

New figures demonstrate strong clinical outcomes, improving response times and high patient satisfaction for the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST).EEAST’s 2025/26 Annual Quality Account shows the emergency service is one of the best‑performing in England for time‑critical conditions such as heart attacks and cardiac arrest, even during a year of record demand.During 2026, the trust has been under fire over its performance. In March, the service was last in national performance rankings.EEAST’s out-of-hospital cardiac arrest desk, which links clinicians in the control room to the scene of a cardiac arrest via video link, is now being explored by other ambulance services in EnglandThe organisation, which operates in Hertfordshire, Essex, Bedfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, was 10th in the country’s league table, down from 9th place in the previous quarter.The service was judged “low performing” with the lowest grade, 4, for patient safety, access to services, and people and workforce.In May, the service was attacked by unions. GMB Union heavily criticised bosses for instructing staff to spend no longer than 42 minutes attending a scene for a category 2 (C2) response. The emergencies could include conditions and injuries such as epilepsy, strokes and burns. The same month, UNISON claimed staff were ready to quit over problems booking annual leave.Earlier in June, the trust revealed its new Patient Plan and how it aims to deliver better care by not taking all patients to the hospital as it responds to rising demand and more complex needs. The plan outlines how it will deliver faster emergency responses for the sickest patients, while helping others get the right care earlier, often closer to home.The Annual Quality Account shows that during 2025/26, EEAST was the highest‑performing ambulance trust in England for heart attack care, significantly above the national average.Survival outcomes following out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrest were also among the best in the country, with EEAST achieving the highest performance nationally for several key measures, including return of spontaneous circulation and delivery of post‑resuscitation care. The trust handled nearly 1.5 million emergency contacts in 2025/26 – the equivalent of one 999 call every 29 seconds.Despite this sustained pressure, 999 calls were answered in an average of two seconds, ambulance response times improved across all call categories compared with the previous year, and performance for the most life‑threatening emergencies remained stable.In 2025/26, EEAST clinicians safely supported over 159,000 patients through telephone assessment and clinical advice.This approach helps patients avoid unnecessary hospital visits and ensures emergency resources are available where they are needed most. Overall, 93% of patients rated their overall experience as good or very good. The trust received 3,722 compliments, with six compliments recorded for every complaint, which fell significantly.Simon Chase, chief paramedic and director of quality of EEAST, said: “Our teams respond to extraordinary demand every day, and this quality account shows the real difference their skill, compassion and commitment make for patients.“We know there is more work to do, but we are proud to be delivering some of the best outcomes in the country for the patients who need us most.”

A Milton Keynes housebuilder has built more than just new homes this year, raising a massive £10,000 to support grieving children and mental health services across the region.The impressive five-figure sum was generated during Taylor Wimpey South Midlands’ annual Contractor Awards.

An evening of dinner, raffles, and high-stakes auctions turned into a major fundraising triumph for two vital local causes: bereaved children’s charity Harry’s Rainbow and mental health champion Mind BLMK.The awards, which celebrate the commitment, craftsmanship and partnership of their contractors and suppliers, included dinner, an awards ceremony, a raffle and an auction.The event helped raise vital funds for bereaved children’s charity, Harry’s Rainbow, and mental health charity Mind Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK). Each charity received £5,000 following the generous uptake of the raffle and auction.Harry’s Rainbow is a Milton Keynes-based charity that has supported bereaved children in the Buckinghamshire city since 2011 through a range of bereavement support services such as trips out, therapeutic mentoring, and short breaks at the charity’s Rainbow Retreat.Alison Johnson, fundraising and events manager at Harry’s Rainbow, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Taylor Wimpey for being chosen as one of the fundraising charities as part of their annual Contractor Awards.
“The emotional and practical support for bereaved children and families that we offer during the difficult grieving process wouldn’t be available without these types of generous donations. “We can’t thank the efforts of Taylor Wimpey South Midlands and those who attended their Contractor Awards enough for their continued and dedicated support.”

Mind BLMK works across the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes communities to champion positive mental health and wellbeing, and make sure that no one faces mental health struggles alone. Across the community, Mind BLMK offer peer support and mentoring, wellbeing hubs, crisis cafes and mental health recovery lounges, a safe environment for those recovering from mental health struggles.
Jeanette Spiksey, income generation manager at Mind BLMK, said: “The mental health services that we’re providing to people across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are a vital part of these thriving communities.“We offer a variety of services in varying forms, including hubs, lounges, cafes, suicide prevention pathways, suicide by bereavement support, mentoring sessions to ensure there is a comfortable environment for everyone to access the support they need, and mental health training and education.“This outstanding donation means that we can continue to offer this wide range of services for those seeking support from Mind BLMK.”Hayden Dolby, managing director for Taylor Wimpey South Midlands, said: “Our annual Contractor Awards is always an exciting event in the calendar, not only to celebrate the outstanding work of our contractors and suppliers, but also to seize the opportunity to raise vital funds for our chosen charities.

“Harry’s Rainbow and Mind BLMK give so much to the local area in which we build, and we’re so proud of our team, suppliers and contractors for helping to raise such an incredible amount.”

First cheetah births in 15 years boost conservation effortsAuthor: Grace McGachy Published 15 minutes agoWhipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire is celebrating the arrival of seven cheetah cubs, the first born there in 15 years.Amira, a first-time mum, had four cubs on 18th May, soon followed by her sister Zara with three cubs five days later.Both five-year-old sisters came to the zoo last year to help the breeding programme. Sarah McGregor, who manages the predators team at Whipsnade Zoo, said, “We’re absolutely delighted to have seven healthy cheetah cubs at the Zoo. Amira and Zara have taken to motherhood wonderfully, and we’ve seen them nuzzling, cleaning, and feeding their cubs diligently over our CCTV cameras.”Whipsnade Zoo has been involved in cheetah breeding for years, having made history in 1967 when they were the first zoo to successfully rear cheetahs. Since then, more than 100 cubs have been born there.Due to threats including habitat loss and fragmentation, the illegal pet trade, and human-animal conflict, more than 90% of the global cheetah population has disappeared since 1900. There are now estimated to be just 7,000 cheetahs in the wild, and less than 600 northern cheetahs.Zoo staff are watching the cheetah family via remote cameras to keep disturbance to a minimum.The newborns are yet to get names since their sexes will be confirmed during a health check at about eight weeks. Sarah promised, “While the cubs won’t be visible to visitors just yet, we’ll share lots of CCTV footage and updates, and can’t wait for everyone to see them once they’re ready to explore the outside world!” Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.

This amazing world record combined 2 of our favourite things: painting and the zoo!
This May, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a UK-based science-led charity that protects animals, made waves with a wild record attempt – a record-breaking painting by numbers!
14,024 animal lovers, families and people of all ages could take part in the record attempt at ZSL’s 2 leading zoos: 

London Zoo, located in the heart of London, at Regent’s Park
Whipsnade Zoo, located near Dunstable, Bedfordshire

The record title?
Most contributions to a painting by numbers (multiple venues)!

The artwork, brimming with colours and creative illustrations of wild animals, invited everyone to take part and learn more about how we can protect animals and endangered species.
The event also celebrated ZSL’s 200th anniversary, and Guinness World Records Adjudicator William Sinden visited London Zoo to officially announce the record:
“London and Whipsnade Zoo has created a really special record-breaking moment here, bringing thousands of visitors together to mark ZSL’s 200th anniversary in such a colourful and creative way.

“It’s a brilliant example of how a shared challenge can bring people of all ages together and give everyone the chance to be part of something truly memorable.”
We couldn’t agree more!
What’s your favourite animal? Try painting it as best you can!

An adorable audience of Humboldt penguins stole the show, coming over when the certificate was being given to the zookeepers to make sure that everything went perfectly during the presentation.
Look how cute!

So what exactly happened during the attempt?
Painting supplies in hand, everyone unleashed their creativity on the painting-by-numbers panels. 
While having fun with colours, the artists could also chat with the ZSL team overseeing the event, learning more about all their favourite animals and the importance of ZSL’s research and commitment to protecting wildlife!
Sounds pretty fun, right?

It took a whole week for the painting to be ready, and it turned out HUGE and beautiful. Packed with different animals and vibrant colours, it featured – among many others – bright parrots, reptiles, butterflies, and even a gorgeous gorilla! 
The choice of featuring 200 animals in the artwork nodded to ZSL turning 200 this year.
In the official release shared by ZSL, Events Manager Victoria Sage commented: “We’re delighted to have broken the Guinness World Records title, making our 200th year even more memorable!”
How will you celebrate your next birthday? Maybe at the zoo?

The event, which blended creativity, animal facts, and a fun opportunity to learn more about nature, was definitely a super fun one.
Keep an eye out for whenever they try to break another record next…
They might need your help to do it!
Until then, here’s the final result of the record-breaking painting:

What do you think?
Congratulations to the Zoological Society of London and everyone who helped them achieve their goal – you guys are all Officially Amazing!

Bedfordshire Hospitals celebrates five years of its Virtual Fracture Clinic, improving patient flow and speeding up access to urgent care
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is marking the fifth anniversary of its Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC), a service that has transformed how patients with orthopaedic injuries are assessed and supported following their visit to our Emergency Departments (ED).
The VFC provides rapid clinical triage for patients with suspected fractures or musculoskeletal injuries, ensuring they receive the right care at the right time. Instead of automatically attending a face to face fracture clinic appointment, patients are reviewed remotely by specialist clinicians who determine the safest and most appropriate next steps. This may include telephone advice, referral to physiotherapy or hand therapy, further imaging, or arranging a face to face appointment when needed.
Over the past year alone, the team has triaged more than 10,000 patients, with around 65% safely managed without needing to attend a traditional clinic appointment. This has helped the Trust prioritise urgent and complex cases more quickly, while ensuring all patients have direct access to the VFC team if they have concerns or their symptoms change.Importantly, the service does not replace face to face care where it is needed. Every patient is clinically reviewed, and those requiring in person assessment are brought into clinic promptly. The model is widely used across the NHS and is supported by robust governance and safety processes.
How the service works

Patients attending ED with certain injuries are referred to the Virtual Fracture Clinic
The VFC triage team (comprised of an Orthopaedic Consultant and Specialist Physiotherapist) reviews their X rays, notes and clinical information
Patients receive a phone call and written advice explaining their diagnosis and next steps or a face to face appointment is arranged
If further assessment is required, the team arranges a face to face appointment
Patients can contact the VFC directly if they have concerns or if their symptoms worsen.

Lucy Orme, Specialist Physiotherapist for the Virtual Fracture Clinic said: “We’re incredibly proud of what the Virtual Fracture Clinic has achieved over the past five years. Our focus is always on providing safe, timely and personalised care. Many patients appreciate being able to speak directly with a clinician without needing to travel back to hospital, while still knowing they can be seen face to face if needed. The service has also helped us ensure that those with more urgent injuries are seen more quickly, which makes a real difference to their recovery.”
Cathy Jones, Acting Chief Executive at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This milestone reflects the dedication and expertise of our orthopaedic, physiotherapy and emergency teams, who have worked together to create a service that is both safe and responsive. The Virtual Fracture Clinic is a great example of how we can use clinical triage to improve patient experience, reduce unnecessary appointments and ensure that people who need urgent care are seen sooner. I want to thank everyone involved for their commitment to continually improving the way we care for our patients.”
Background information
• The service is available at both Bedford Hospital and the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital (L&D), with dedicated contact points for each site• The VFC is made up of a team of six Specialist Physiotherapists, who work across the two hospitals• Staff members in the pictures are Lucy Orme, Specialist Physiotherapist and Mr Sundararajan, Orthopaedic Consultant.

Dance classes have brought “joy” to cancer patients and children at a hospital in Bedfordshire.Sadie Hunt and Jenny Howells have been delivering Dance for Health sessions at Bedford Hospital since early 2025, bringing movement and music to patients on the wards.The initiative began as a trial programme on two wards caring for elderly patients with frailty conditions.The project is set to grow significantly, with a 30-week programme in the pipeline that will extend its reach to young patients and those receiving cancer treatment.Ms Hunt, a freelance practitioner who leads the sessions, described the work as “the best job in the world”. The programme has secured funding on four separate occasions, receiving support from Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Charity, Sport England, and Friends of Bedford Hospital.She said the team is particularly thrilled about the upcoming expansion to paediatric patients.Ms Hunt emphasised the sessions work around clinical needs, noting staff report patients are in better spirits and more cooperative after the dancing concludes.Sadie Hunt who leads the group described it as ‘the best job in the world’ | BEDFORDSHIRE HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST Initial reluctance from patients often melts away once others begin participating, with Ms Hunt observing nearly everyone eventually joins in.”I thought I was going to be really embarrassed, but I wasn’t I absolutely loved it,” one female patient said. Others have described the experience as “very worthwhile” and left them feeling “totally uplifted”.One participant remarked: “This is the first time I have felt like myself since I have been here. We need this every day.”The brief sessions of fifteen to thirty minutes with music provide a welcome distraction to patients | BEDFORDSHIRE HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST The sessions incorporate substantial upper body movement, with some participants reporting their shoulders feel noticeably lower afterwards and their range of motion has improved.Ms Hunt explained the approach centres on relaxation, enjoyment, releasing muscular tension, and creating shared experiences among patients in the same bay.”I think it just shifts the ward from feeling like a very clinical space into feeling like a more human and artistic space,” she told the BBC.Ms Howells, 35, has witnessed tangible physical improvements in participants, with patients telling her their pain diminished or disappeared entirely during the dancing and their joints felt more supple.The brief sessions of fifteen to thirty minutes with music provide a welcome distraction for those who are unwell, bored and frustrated by their hospital stay.Several patients have noted the entire atmosphere of the ward feels transformed following the sessions, according to Ms Howells, who described her involvement as a “huge privilege”. She said she valued witnessing how dance and creative arts can support physical wellbeing while simultaneously boosting mood and fostering a sense of community among patients.Keely Birch, the hospital’s prevention of deconditioning lead, acknowledged the extended hospital admissions can significantly affect patients’ mental health, leading to boredom, feelings of isolation and low moods.”This project has shown that creative health has a well-deserved place in the acute setting, with patients who have taken part reporting they feel it has value as part of their hospital stay,” Ms Birch said.

Devaun Rose-Turner was found dead at the couple’s home in Bedfordshire in December 2021, having suffered more than 80 injuries in the two months before his tragic deathEmmanuel Turner and Shandies Rose fled the country while be investigated for the death of their eight-month-old son(Image: Mirror UK )A couple from South London have been jailed for beating their baby son to death.Devaun Rose-Turner was only 8 months old when he passed away in December 2021, having suffered more than 80 injuries during the two months leading up to his tragic death. Emergency responders were called to the Bedfordshire residence at approximately 7 a.m. on Dec. 11, 2021 after Devaun’s father, Emmanuel Turner, reported that his son had stopped breathing.Devaun was declared dead later that morning. His parents, Emmanuel Turner and Shandies Rose, of Hurstbourne Road, Forest Hill, were taken into custody on suspicion of murder in 2022, but were released pending investigation while detectives assembled a comprehensive account of the events, reports Mirror UK.Officers collaborated closely with medical and forensic experts to determine the circumstances of the infant’s death, with the extent and nature of his injuries indicating repeated instances of physical abuse.Investigators also verified that Devaun had been solely under his parents’ care during that entire timeframe.Medical experts revealed Devaun suffered a “catalog of injuries” including 76 rib fractures, a fractured spine, a fractured upper jaw, and a fractured nose(Image: Bedfordshire Police)In August of that year, detectives learned the pair had absconded to Nigeria.They returned on May 10, 2025, and were apprehended upon arrival at the airport, subsequently charged and held in custody.During the trial, the court was told that the young boy had suffered more than 80 separate injuries in the eight weeks prior to his death.Devaun Rose-Turner didn’t have a chance at lifeEmmanuel Turner, 34, received a life sentence on Wednesday, June 3, with a minimum term of 22 years for the murder of his son. Shandies Rose, 29, was acquitted of murder, but convicted of manslaughter, receiving a 12-year prison sentence, according to MyLondon.Both were additionally found guilty of causing or allowing a child to suffer significant harm, receiving concurrent sentences of eight years and seven years respectively.Judge, the Honorable Justice Farbey KC, stated: “Both of you knew about his pain. Both of you decided to keep it hidden so he received no medical help.”Detective Inspector Lee Martin, who headed the investigation, commented: “This was a complex and deeply challenging investigation into the sustained abuse and tragic death of a baby behind closed doors.”He suffered horrifyingly painful injuries at the hands of his parents”From the outset, our focus was on establishing exactly what happened to Devaun and securing justice for him, with our team working tirelessly to ensure he was given a voice,” he added”Nothing can undo what happened to him, but today’s sentence reflects the persistence of our officers in ensuring that those who should have cared and protected for him have been held accountable for the abuse he suffered.””Our thoughts will always remain with Devaun — sleep well, little man.”