A chaplain who offered a listening ear to emergency teams and rail workers at the site of the Bedfordshire rail crash said he and his team were already preparing to ongoing support for those affected.
A train driver was killed and about 100 people were injured when two East Midlands Railway services to London St Pancras collided near Bedford at about 17:15 BST on Friday.
Hundreds of emergency workers responded, with staff from Network Rail and officers from British Transport Police among those still on scene.
“It’s a tough job they have to do, especially when it’s a major incident. Chaplains are there for reassurance, someone to talk to,” said Steve Rowe of Railway Mission.
He and charity chief executive Liam Johnson were on scene until 02:00 BST on Saturday, and chaplains would return to the site each day for as long as they were needed, he said.
Rowe and his team encountered staff who should have been on day offs or who were on extended shifts.
“They are so dedicated, especially in these situations. They will turn up,” he told BBC Three Counties presenter Babs Michel.
“They realise how crucial it is for them to be there. They are highly trained. They know what to do in these situations and so they will be on site.
“Yes, they are tired, but there’s another level of energy when you are caring for other people, and that’s where they go.”
Network Rail has warned that disruption between London and Bedford is expected to continue for a week as it continues the “complex and challenging” recovery work.
Rowe said the Railway Mission would provide ongoing care for those who required it, and had already made arrangements to see people over the coming days.
“When you’re in the middle of everything, adrenaline kicks in, your training kicks in, and they are highly competent,” he explained.
“It’s afterwards when they start to re-picture situations and issues, and go through what they went through, in their own minds.
“We will be there for Network Rail staff, or any rail staff, or British Transport Police staff, and there are other care agencies that are available for them.”
The chaplains’ prayers were also with the driver’s family, friends and colleagues, he said, and those whose loved ones were injured or traumatised.
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