Train driver killed after going through red signal and smashing into the back of stationary carriages died from 'traumatic brain and chest injuries', inquest hears

Published: 11:26, 14 July 2026 | Updated: 11:34, 14 July 2026 A train driver killed in a crash between two services in Bedfordshire is believed to have died from 'traumatic injuries to the brainstem and chest', an inquest heard today. Shaun Burton, 60, died when the East Midlands Railway (EMR) train he was driving went into the back of a stationary train run by the same operator. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) published an interim report on June 24, which stated Mr Burton's train had proceeded past a red signal near the scene of the crash in Elstow, near Bedford, last month. An inquest into the circumstances surrounding Mr Burton's death opened at Bedfordshire and Luton Coroners Court, in Ampthill, today. Coroner's officer Natalie Shirran said: 'On June 19, 2026, at approximately 5.14pm, a collision occurred south of Bedford Rail station between train 1H46 and the rear of stationary train 1B67. 'Train 1B67 had stopped due to a fault and the driver was contacting the signaller and maintenance staff. 'The signalling system had placed following trains at red signals. Train 1H46 departed Bedford at 17.10 hours and subsequently passed a red signal.' Some 162 people were injured, 102 of whom needed hospital treatment. The East Midlands Railway train driven by Shaun Burton, 60, went through a red light and ploughed into the back of a stationary train run by the same operator When the RAIB published its report around three weeks ago, 53 passengers remained in hospital, including eight in a critical condition. Images from a forward-facing CCTV camera on Mr Burton's train show a signal near the scene of the crash 'was displaying a red aspect as the train approached and then passed it', the RAIB said. Train data from the wreckage shows the brakes were applied while the train was travelling at 77mph, about 200 yards before the crash, the court heard, reducing the speed to 49mph when the impact happened. Mr Burton's train was fitted with automatic warning system (AWS) equipment triggered by magnets on tracks. This sounds a bell or chime in the driver's cab when it is approaching a green signal and a horn when coming up to a non-green signal. In the case of the latter, drivers are required to acknowledge the warning by pressing a button. After this happens, a visual indicator appears in the driver's cab as a reminder. The train's emergency brake is applied if the warning is not responded to quickly enough. The RAIB statement said the stationary train involved in the collision had come to a stop 'unexpectedly' after a fault with its AWS equipment caused its brakes to apply. Some 162 people were injured in the June 19 incident, 102 of whom needed hospital treatment This resulted in the signal behind it automatically changing to red, investigators said. Approaching trains should stop at red signals. The RAIB has stated that its investigation will consider 'the actions of those involved and any factors that may have influenced them'. This will include why the Nottingham train stopped, whether the AWS on the Luton Express was properly working, the 'crashworthiness performance of both trains' and the emergency response. Disruption on the route continued for several days as cranes were brought in to lift the carriages from the tracks. One of the trains had become derailed.   A post-mortem examination was carried out by consultant pathologist Dr Virginia Fitzpatrick-Swallow on behalf of the coroner's service. Mr Burton's cause of death has been recorded as 'traumatic injuries to the brainstem and chest, pending further investigations'. His family had been informed that the inquest was set to open but did not attend court. Coroner Emma Whitting said: 'I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to Mr Burton's family, friends and colleagues for their loss.' Train data from the wreckage shows the brakes were applied while the train was travelling at 77mph, about 200 yards before the crash, the court heard, reducing the speed to 49mph by the time of the collision Mr Burton spent his whole career in the transport industry, working on buses and coaches before moving to work on the railway later in his career The inquest has been adjourned until the conclusion of the RAIB and British Transport Police investigations. Mr Burton spent his whole career in the transport industry, working on buses and coaches before moving to work on the railway later in his career.  In a tribute, his grieving family said: 'We are devastated by his loss. Our thoughts are also with those affected by this incident.' His colleagues remembered his 'effortless' wit and humour, while his employers praised his dedication to the industry and a lifetime in public service. EMR managing director Will Rogers said after the collision: '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.'