A train manager who helped injured passengers after a fatal collision between two East Midlands Railway services near Bedford has been described as a hero – even as he was in pain himself and worked to prevent further disaster.
Passenger Mareks Grabovskis said he saw the manager directing emergency action moments after the crash, which killed driver Shaun Burton, 60, and left about 100 people injured at about 17:15 BST on Friday. “I could see he was in pain himself, but he was telling someone on the radio to close the lines, and checking if everyone else was OK,” Grabovskis said.
“Train manager helped injured colleagues after fatal Bedford crash that killed driver Shaun Burton, 60”
John Watson, regional organiser of the RMT union, said the manager also averted a potential second catastrophe. “He looked out and could see one of the vehicles had become derailed, and would potentially block the other line. If a train had come the other way, it may have been too close and hit it.” Watson said the injured manager got out, placed circuit clips to put all signals to danger, and contacted the signaller to stop all trains. Watson knew all six staff on the two trains, including Burton, who he described as a colleague lost in “an absolute shock” to the industry.
Grabovskis, who had been on the 16:40 service from Corby, said he moved to the last carriage at the last second because the train was too crowded. When the collision happened, he went flying, passed out, and woke on the floor to see people “covered in blood” and screaming. “It was one of the most terrifying moments of my life, and I know how fortunate I am to be here today,” he added.
Sarah Conboy, leader of Huntingdonshire District Council, said Burton, a former Independent councillor for the Stukeleys ward from 2018 to 2022, was “deeply saddened” by his loss. “His loss is profoundly felt, both by his family and across the local community he served,” she said.
The crash has caused severe disruption. The MP for Mid Bedfordshire, Blake Stephenson, said 600m of track would need replacing after the damage, with overhead wires removed and cranes needed to clear carriages. Disruption between London and Bedford is expected to last a week.
Amid the chaos, anger has emerged over a separate incident: a driver whose car was stuck at Bedford station during the crash was reportedly issued a parking ticket, sparking fury.