Bedford train crash driver died of ‘traumatic injuries’, inquest hears

A train driver, formerly a Cambridgeshire councillor, died of ‘traumatic injuries’ after a crash in June

A train driver who was killed in a 49mph crash in Bedfordshire is believed to have died from “traumatic injuries”, an inquest has heard.

Shaun Burton, 60, was driving an East Midlands Railway train (EMR) that hit the back of a stationary train run by the same operator in Elstow, near Bedford, on June 19. Mr Burton, a former Huntingdonshire councillor, died as a result of the crash.

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. An inquest opened into Mr Burton’s death today (Tuesday, July 14) at Bedfordshire and Luton Coroners Court in Ampthill.

The coroner’s officer, Natalie Shirran, said: “On June 19, 2026, at approximately 17.14 hours, 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. As of when the RAIB was published around three weeks ago, 53 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.

Its speed had reduced 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 stopped train involved in the crash had come to a stop “unexpectedly” after a fault with its AWS equipment caused its brakes to apply. This resulted in the signal behind it automatically changing to red, investigators said. Approaching trains should stop at red signals.

A post-mortem examination was carried out by consultant pathologist Dr Virginia Fitzpatrick-Swallow on behalf of the coroner’s court.

Mr Burton’s cause of death was confirmed 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.”

The inquest has been adjourned until the conclusion of the RAIB and British Transport Police investigations.