A fatal train collision near Bedford on Friday evening occurred after the driver passed a red signal, according to preliminary findings released by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB). Shaun Burton, 60, the driver of the East Midlands Railway service involved, was pronounced dead at the scene after his train struck the rear of a stationary train on the same track near Elstow at approximately 5:15 p.m.

The subsequent impact resulted in injuries to over 100 passengers, with 53 individuals still hospitalized as of Thursday, including eight in critical condition, British Transport Police confirmed.

Data recorded by the train’s black box revealed that Burton’s service was traveling at 49 miles per hour at the time of the collision. The brakes were reportedly applied nine seconds prior, when the train was moving at 76 miles per hour. The RAIB’s interim report noted that it remains unclear what signal indications were received by Burton from the train’s automatic warning system.

East Midlands Railway managing director Will Rogers expressed the company’s commitment to assisting with the ongoing investigation. “We are fully committed to working as an industry to support the continuing investigation,” Rogers said. He also extended condolences to those affected by the incident, specifically acknowledging the loss of driver Shaun Burton.

The RAIB investigation is ongoing, with further details expected as the inquiry progresses.