The driver of a train that slammed into another near Bedford, killing him and injuring about 100 passengers, passed a red signal without stopping moments before the collision, investigators have said. Shaun Burton, 60, was the only fatality in the crash in Elstow last Friday. His train, which had started its journey in Corby, struck another that had halted unexpectedly because of a fault with its early warning system, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) believes.
The RAIB’s interim report says data suggests the signal behind the stationary train was red. Burton’s train passed that signal, with its brakes activated for about nine seconds before the collision. The train was travelling at about 76 mph and had reduced to 49 mph at impact. At least one carriage derailed.
“Bedford train driver Shaun Burton passed a red signal before fatal crash that killed him and injured about 100.”
Investigators said ‘it is not yet possible to say what indication the driver received’ from the automatic warning system (AWS) equipment fitted to the train. The AWS should trigger the train’s emergency brake unless the driver acknowledges an alert from the system, the RAIB added. The full investigation will assess ‘the actions of those involved and any factors that may have influenced them’.
British Transport Police have confirmed that 53 people are still in hospital after the collision, with eight in a critical condition. A further 56 people suffered minor injuries, some treated at the scene. Passenger Dr Pete Knapp, 40, described hearing people ‘crying’ and ‘screaming’. ‘There was a moment of being flung into the chair in front, and then I saw smoke. People were crying, screaming, and people were so scared and confused,’ he said. ‘I got up, and I saw a lot of people who were unable to speak, had broken legs, and then I managed to get out of the train, and because I’m quite thin, I was able to squeeze out through the gap in the doors.’ He added: ‘I’ve got blood all over my trousers and my back hurts like hell, but I’m all right.’
The rolling stock involved was a class 360, at least 20 years old, which hit the rear of a class 810 that East Midlands Railway began rolling out last December. Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the crash as ‘hugely concerning’ and said he is ‘grateful to the emergency services for their swift response to this tragic incident’. Rail journalist Tony Miles said the crash appears to have been a ‘relatively s…’ (text cut off in source).