Help and Support Following Train Accident near Bedford

Two passenger trains travelling towards London collided south of Bedford near Elstow, resulting in the tragic death of a train driver and injuries to dozens of passengers, prompting a major emergency response and an ongoing investigation into the cause of the incident.

ELFT Chief Executive Lorraine Sunduza OBE said:

"Our thoughts are with everyone affected by Friday's tragic train crash near Bedford. Incidents such as these can have a profound impact on individuals, families and communities, and many people may be experiencing feelings of shock, sadness, anxiety or distress."

"It is important to remember that these reactions are entirely natural. People process traumatic events in different ways, and there is no right or wrong way to feel. I would encourage anyone who is struggling with their thoughts or emotions to seek support and speak to someone they trust."

"I would also ask everyone to continue showing kindness and compassion to those around them. Friends, family members, neighbours, carers and colleagues may all have been affected by this incident in ways that are not immediately visible."

"Support is available for anyone who needs it, and I encourage people to reach out if they are finding things difficult."

Trauma is a very individual response, there is no set of rules that dictate who will experience trauma following a particular incident.

Responses to difficult events vary between different people – i.e. two people can experience the same incident very differently, depending on their prior experience.

Responses can also vary within people – i.e. an individual will have a different response to the same trigger on different days, depending on their own context at the time. Trauma is therefore very hard to predict, however, exposure to certain events are more likely to trigger a trauma response.

Different people will experience very different symptoms following a traumatic event, however, some generally useful steps can include:

Taking time for recovery - After a traumatic event it may take time to process what has happened. Do not expect to return to baseline immediately, give yourself time to recover.

Talking about what happened - Remaining in touch with others who shared the experience, or talking about the event with people can be helpful in processing what has happened.

Being with others - Try to avoid isolating yourself following a traumatic event, spending time with friends or family instead.

Avoid unhelpful coping strategies - Use of alcohol or drugs is not an unusual short term response to trauma, this reaction however can cause problems in the longer term, hindering recovery.

If you are struggling with intrusive memories - Use of grounding techniques can help with difficult memories. Grounding techniques use senses or thoughts to bring us out of difficult memories and into the present moment, including: Describing your current surroundings, what things can you see, hear, smell and feel.

Remind yourself you are now safe, the event has passed. More information on grounding can be found on the Mind website.

When Symptoms Persist - For a minority of people, symptoms can continue to cause you distress more than a month after the event without improving. This may indicate that you are experiencing a post traumatic stress disorder response. Contacting your GP or accessing talking therapy, can be helpful.

Contact your GP - your GP can help support with mental wellbeing as well as physical health issues.

Talking therapies services: You can access support for difficulties following trauma, post-traumatic stress, and other common mental health difficulties from the following services. You can be referred by your GP or you can self-refer using the links below:

Bedfordshire Talking Therapies (For those whose GP is based in Bedford) 01234 880 400
Total Wellbeing Luton (for those whose GP is based in Luton) 0300 5554152
Milton Keynes Talking Therapies (for those whose GP is based in Milton-Keynes) 01908 725099
If you are registered with a GP outside of Bedfordshire you can find your local Talking Therapies service by using this link.

If you are already working with a mental health or community health service, please let them know if you have been affected.

If you feel unable to cope and are experiencing a mental health crisis/feel unable to keep yourself safe. TELL SOMEONE.

A&E will ask the hospital’s Psychiatric Liaison Service (PLS) to assess you within 1 hour

NHS 111 option 2 will put you through to your local mental health crisis team. They will provide an assessment within four hours

Samaritans 116 123 or 0800 069 6222 for a dedicated line for health professionals

SHOUT Text 85258 for confidential text support