Train driver Shaun Burton, 60, died and 162 people were injured when his London-bound service collided with a stationary train near Elstow, south of Bedford, at 17:15 BST on Friday. An interim report released by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch found that Burton's train had passed a red signal before the crash.
According to the RAIB report, the stationary train had stopped unexpectedly due to a fault with its Automatic Warning System equipment. Data suggests the signal behind that train was showing red when the Corby service approached. The brakes on Burton's train were activated for about nine seconds before impact, while the train was traveling at approximately 76 mph. Its speed had dropped to 49 mph when it struck the stationary service.
The RAIB said it is not yet possible to say what indication Burton received from the automatic warning system fitted to his train. Its full investigation will consider the actions of those involved and any factors that may have influenced them.
Dave Calfe, the general secretary of train driver union ASLEF, said the incident may have been avoided if the train protection and warning system had been installed at that 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."
British Transport Police confirmed that 53 people remain in hospital and eight are in a critical condition. Emergency services deployed multiple air ambulances and 70 firefighters to the scene. Cranes were used to remove the trains, which were transported away using a temporary road built by construction workers.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addressed the House of Commons and 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."
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told Parliament that emergency services had acted "quickly, professionally and bravely." British Transport Police officers have also recovered a significant amount of passenger property, which has been sent to an East Midlands Railway storage facility. Passengers who lost items have been asked to contact the service.
The 16:40 train from Corby collided with the 15:50 service from Nottingham. The RAIB's full investigation is ongoing.
