Council sorry for parking fines after train crash

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Council sorry for parking fines after train crashImage source, Getty Images/@jack24533906Image caption, One man posted a picture of the fixed penalty notice on his windscreen ByEwan SomervillePublished2 hours agoA council has apologised after drivers were fined for not moving their vehicles from a station car park after a fatal train crash. Passengers were left stranded after two trains collided near Bedford on Friday, leaving a 60-year-old train driver dead and more than 100 people injured. Some passengers were unable to return to their cars parked at Bedford railway station, but when they finally did they found fixed penalty notices stuck to their windscreens.

A Bedford Borough Council spokesperson said: "We are aware of this matter and apologise for any incorrect tickets issued. "Image source, /Getty ImagesImage caption, The crash involved two London St Pancras-bound trainsTwo East Midlands Railway trains – the Corby to London St Pancras Luton Express, and the Nottingham to St Pancras service – collided at about 17:15 BST. The line remains closed this week.

The Details

One man posted a picture on social media of a fixed penalty notice on his windscreen in the station car park, adding to the council: "Really? Why are you issuing parking tickets to cars at Bedford train station after yesterday's major incident? "Police were telling people NOT to go to the station!

How were we supposed to collect our cars? "He said the penalised vehicles were in a car park adjacent to the station in Ashburnham Road and it was managed by the council, not a private company. He added his paid parking expired at midnight after Friday's crash and a ticket was issued to him at 09:00 on Saturday.

The man had earlier been evacuated from a train on the Bedford line behind the crash site. He also filmed his neighbours and his partner throwing bottles of water and snacks to stranded passengers from a road next to the railway, saying this was "humanity at its best". The council added it had "already taken corrective action" and asked anyone who still needed a ticket rescinded to email.

What Experts Say

Figure caption, Watch: Aerial footage shows train wreckage removalTrain driver Shaun Burton died in the crash and 53 people remained in hospital on Monday, eight of them in a critical condition. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander praised emergency services who acted "quickly, professionally and bravely". An interim report from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has said the Corby train that Burton was driving had proceeded past a red signal before the crash with the stationary Nottingham train.

Meanwhile, three community foundations have set up an appeal trying to raise funds for the passengers affected. Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Get in touchYour Voice Contact form Contact formFollow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on Sounds, Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external.

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