A train driver who died in a railway collision in the United Kingdom was found to have passed a red signal shortly before the crash, according to preliminary findings released by investigators.
Driver Shaun Burton, 60, lost his life and 162 people sustained injuries when a London-bound train struck the rear of another service on Friday.
In an interim report, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch said Burton’s train moved beyond a red signal near Elstow, close to Bedford, at about 17:15 BST before the collision occurred.
Investigators said that “it is not yet possible to say what indication the driver received” from the Automatic Warning System fitted to the train.
The report also revealed that the train ahead had stopped unexpectedly due to a fault affecting its AWS equipment.
According to data examined by investigators, the signal protecting the stationary train was displaying red.
The Corby service continued past the signal before its brakes were applied for approximately nine seconds.
The train was travelling at around 76mph when braking began and had slowed to 49mph by the time it crashed into the stationary service.
The RAIB said its ongoing investigation would examine “the actions of those involved and any factors that may have influenced them”.
ASLEF general secretary Dave Calfe welcomed the probe and suggested the accident might have been prevented if a train protection and warning system had been installed at the location.
He said, “Because what will concern passengers, and what concerns us, is that there are safety systems that can be put in place to prevent such accidents happening and the network should have been able to cope.”
The 16:40 service from Corby collided with the 15:50 train from Nottingham shortly after 17:15 BST, south of Elstow.
British Transport Police said 53 people remain hospitalized, with eight in critical condition.
Passenger Pete Knapp described the impact as being “like a bomb explosion”.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer earlier expressed sympathy for those affected by the tragedy.
Addressing the House of Commons, he said: “I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of the driver of the Corby to St Pancras train.
“His family have requested privacy, and we should all respect that. I send my deepest sympathies to them at this awful time.”
A major emergency response was launched following the crash, involving multiple air ambulances and around 70 firefighters.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander praised the response of emergency personnel, telling MPs they had acted “quickly, professionally and bravely”.
Recovery operations have involved cranes lifting the damaged trains from the tracks before they were removed using a temporary access road built by construction teams.
British Transport Police said officers recovered a “significant amount of passenger property”, which has since been transferred to an East Midlands Railway storage facility.
Passengers seeking lost belongings have been advised to contact the force so items can be returned.
Meanwhile, Network Rail said the Midland Main Line will remain closed to East Midlands Railway and Thameslink services until the end of the week.
