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Prayers for community touched by fatal train crash

Alex PopeBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire
News imageNicola Taggart Elstow Abbey, showing a large stone building, with trees outside, and grave stones. There is a tower, and then a main building. Nicola Taggart
The event, an act of prayer and reflection, will be held at Elstow Abbey from 17:00 BST on Friday

A service of prayer and reflection will take place later to support the community affected by the fatal Bedford train crash.

Organised jointly by the Bishop of Bedford and Susan Lousada, the Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, it will be held at Elstow Abbey from 17:00 BST on Friday.

The event will be a chance for people to "come together to remember train driver Shaun Burton, to pray for those who were injured, and to hold all those affected in our thoughts", organisers said.

It will also include a moment of silence at 17:15 to mark the time the incident occurred.

"It will also be an occasion to give thanks for the emergency services, volunteers, and rail staff who responded to the incident," organisers said.

News imageDiocese of St Albans The Bishop of Bedford, the Right Reverend Richard Atkinson, holding a microphone in one arm, and his hand out in another. He is wearing a purple shirt, with a dog collar and a blue jacket, with a name label on the lapel. People are in front of him. He has on glasses and has short grey hair. Diocese of St Albans
The Bishop of Bedford, the Right Reverend Richard Atkinson, has jointly organised the service

Train driver Burton, 60, died and more than 100 people were initially taken to hospital following the collision between two East Midlands Railway services on Friday.

British Transport Police have confirmed that three people remain in a critical condition and 38 people are still in hospital.

News imageJune Essex Susan Lousada, the Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, standing outside, with long blonde hair tied back, wearing a military cap, in red and blue colours, with a blue military jacket. She has pearl earrings in both ears. She is in front of a building and a bush is to the right. June Essex
Lord-Lieutenant Susan Lousada said the response to the tragedy "demonstrated the very best of Bedfordshire"

Lousada expressed her "heartfelt thanks to everyone who responded".

"The professionalism, skill and compassion shown by our emergency services, NHS staff, air ambulance crews and the many volunteer organisations who train so thoroughly for incidents of this kind have been truly remarkable.

"Whilst none of us would ever wish for such a tragedy to occur, the response has demonstrated the very best of Bedfordshire – a community that comes together in moments of grief with kindness, generosity and a determination to support one another.

"For that, we can all be deeply grateful."

The Bishop of Bedford, the Right Reverend Richard Atkinson, said: "This tragedy has had a profound impact on families, railway colleagues, and our entire community.

"Our thoughts and deepest prayers remain with the family of Shaun Burton, those recovering from injuries, and the emergency responders who acted so selflessly.

"This service is a simple, quiet space for anyone who wishes to come, sit, reflect, and find support alongside others."

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