Train driver in Bedford crash passed red signal moments before collision, accident investigators say

By ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 13:12, 24 June 2026 | Updated: 13:29, 24 June 2026 The driver who died following a train crash in Bedford had passed a red signal moments before the collision, accident investigators have said. Shaun Burton, 60, was killed instantly when the Luton Airport Express he was driving ploughed into another East Midlands Railway train. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said in an interim report that Mr Burton's train proceeded past a red signal near the scene of the crash in Elstow, near Bedford at 5.15pm on Friday. It added that 'it is not yet possible to say what indication the driver received' from the automatic warning system (AWS) equipment fitted to the train. But black box data shows Mr Burton did apply the train's brakes in the final nine seconds before the crash, slowing the train from 76mph to 49mph before impact. Some 162 people were injured, 102 of whom needed hospital treatment. Fifty-three remain in hospital, including eight in a critical condition, while Mr Burton died on impact. According to the RAIB, the train Mr Burton was driving approached and passed a red signal moments before the collision. It is not known at this stage whether the AWS system correctly warned Mr Burton he had passed the red signal, as it is designed to do, because train data is still being analysed.  Driver Shaun Burton died in the crash between the two trains in Bedford on Friday afternoon Investigators begin their work in the aftermath of the train crash near Bedford on Friday evening Specialist crane equipment deployed at the crash site which will be used to lift the two trains off the tracks Railway workers have separated the two trains which were in a collision on Friday The red signal had been activated because the first train had ground to a halt following a fault with its AWS, prompting it to automatically apply its brakes. In its interim report, the RAIB said it was made aware of the collision at 5.27pm, and its first inspector arrived on scene around an hour later. It said it is continuing to work alongside the British Transport Police, the Office of Rail and Road, and the railway companies involved to secure the 'necessary evidence' for its investigation. The boss of East Midlands Railway (EMR) has said the company will continue to co-operate fully with the investigation into Friday's crash. Managing director Will Rogers said: 'Following the publication of investigation update from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), we are fully committed to working as an industry to support the continuing investigation. 'We are deeply sorry that this has happened on our railway. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with those affected, particularly EMR driver Shaun Burton, who tragically lost his life. 'While any incident like this is extremely serious, Britain's railway remains one of the safest in the world, with fatal accidents extremely rare relative to the 1.7 billion journeys made each year. Independent comparisons continue to rank the network among the safest in Europe. 'Given the complexity of the issues being examined, it is important that the independent investigation is allowed to reach its conclusions. As the investigation remains ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment on specific findings or speculate on the circumstances surrounding the accident before all of the evidence has been examined. 'We will continue to co-operate fully with the RAIB and Office of Rail and Road (ORR), and await the findings of the final report before commenting further. 'Our focus remains on supporting those affected by the incident while continuing to work with the relevant authorities and carefully considering any recommendations identified through the investigation process. 'We will do everything we can to ensure this never happens again.' Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has thanked investigators after an interim report into Friday's train crash was published, as she vowed to 'leave no stone unturned to understand what happened'. She said: 'My deepest sympathies remain with everyone affected by Friday's tragic collision, and in particular with the family of the driver who lost his life and those who remain in hospital. My heartfelt thanks go to every person who responded so bravely and professionally in the most difficult of circumstances. 'I want to thank the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) for providing an update on their investigation so far, which will help us begin to understand the sequence of events that led to the incident. The report makes clear there is still much to establish, and the full investigation will provide the answers and recommendations everyone affected deserves. 'Our railway is one of the safest in the world, and while incidents like this are incredibly rare, when they do occur we will leave no stone unturned to understand what happened. The RAIB will publish their full report in due course and I will consider those findings with the utmost care and take any action necessary. 'Until then I ask the RAIB be given the space to complete their work thoroughly and speculation is avoided so we can establish the full picture and ensure the right steps are taken in response.' This is a breaking news story and is being updated.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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