Leaders from 1st Wixams Scout Group helped support passengers and emergency responders following Friday’s fatal rail collision south of Bedford.
The incident happened shortly after the group’s regular Beavers and Cubs sessions had finished on Friday, 19 June.
After learning of the collision near Elstow, Scout and Explorer Scout sessions were cancelled, and several leaders set out to see how they could help.
Working alongside the wider community response, the volunteers collected donations of water and snacks from local supermarkets before helping distribute them to emergency services personnel and people affected by the incident.
The leaders remained involved until around 11pm as emergency services continued to deal with the aftermath of the collision.
Community spirit
The response from residents in Wixams and across Bedfordshire has been widely praised in the days since the crash, which claimed the life of an East Midlands Railway train driver and left dozens of people injured.
Residents living near the railway line were among those who stepped forward to help, passing bottles of water and refreshments over fences to passengers stranded for several hours on trains and alongside the tracks.
The volunteers involved included Paula, Mark, Eoin Trigg, Sheila, Gavin Shotbolt, Dan Westram, Chloe Blessing, Helen Stock, Steph Eccles, Becky Wells, Leanne Watkin and Ashley Bennett.
Who worked alongside staff from the Co-op in Wixams, and supported efforts to provide refreshments and practical assistance for those affected by the incident and the emergency responders working at the scene.
Water was alos donated from Kemspton Sainsbury’s and collected by volunteers.
Read: Emergency services, volunteers and businesses praised after Bedford rail collision
Dr Ashley Bennett, a leader and trustee with 1st Wixams Scout Group, said the incident had felt particularly close to home for many local people.
“Like everyone locally, we were deeply saddened by what happened and are still feeling it days later. Wixams is very close to where the incident happened, so this felt incredibly close to home.
“As soon as our Beavers and Cubs sessions finished, a few of us felt we had to do something useful, however small. We collected water and snacks from local supermarkets and helped get them to emergency services staff and people leaving the scene.
“It did not feel like much in the circumstances, and we all wish we could have done more, but we were incredibly proud to see how the Bedford and Wixams communities came together.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected, especially the family, friends and colleagues of the train driver who lost his life, those who were injured, and all the emergency services and rail staff who responded.”
Stepping up
Jo, Group Lead Volunteer at 1st Wixams Scouts, praised the efforts of the volunteers who stepped forward to help.
“I could not be prouder of our 1st Wixams volunteers. They stepped up to help, without any hesitation and gave up their evening to source and hand out drinks and snacks to all involved, wherever they were needed.”
The leaders said the actions of residents, volunteers, emergency services, rail staff and local businesses showed the strength and compassion of the Bedford and Wixams communities at a deeply difficult time.
The collision involved the 4.40pm East Midlands Railway service from Corby to London St Pancras and the 3.50pm service from Nottingham to London St Pancras.
Read: Nine in critical condition after fatal Bedford train collision
Investigations into the cause of the crash are continuing.
