A major incident was declared on Friday (June 19) after two East Midlands Railway trains collided near Elstow in Bedfordshire, with more than 100 people taken to hospital and driver Shaun Burton confirmed dead
Eight people remain critically ill in hospital following a collision between two trains in Bedfordshire. More than 100 people were taken to hospital and a major incident declared on Friday (June 19) after two trains crashed on the line by Elstow in Bedfordshire.
Police were called just after 5.15pm to reports two East Midlands Railway locomotives had collided. Officers from the British Transport Police (BTP), Bedfordshire Police, National Police Air Service and local fire fighters and ambulance crews attended the scene.
The BTP confirmed on Monday evening that 53 people remained in hospital, eight of whom are in a critical condition. Officers however believe this number is “likely to continue to change” as time moves on.
The driver of one of the trains, 60-year-old Shaun Burton, died in the crash. In a statement issued through the police, his family said: “We are devastated by his loss. Our thoughts are also with those affected by this incident.”
Dave Calfe, general secretary of train driver union Aslef, told the BBC: “We are all heartbroken by the death of Shaun Burton, which leaves a hole in the lives of his family, friends and colleagues that will never be filled.”
Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy, from the BTP, said: “First and foremost, the thoughts of everyone at BTP are with the driver Shaun Burton’s family and colleagues, and all those injured and affected by the collision on Friday.”
Dep Ch Const Cundy went on to describe the investigation as a “priority” for the BTP, adding that the senior investigating officer is working in close collaboration with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to establish the precise sequence of events. He confirmed that personal belongings have been retrieved from the trains.
The officer continued: “Friday evening witnessed an awful incident that presented complexities and challenges for all those who responded. I have been humbled by the actions of passengers and staff who were on the trains, and by the professionalism of our officers, the wider emergency services and partners.
“The recovery operation is now underway, and work continues this week to remove the damaged trains and carriages and allow the railway to reopen.”
Those affected by the incident are urged to get in touch with the BTP.
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