The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released a preliminary update on the train crash near Bedford that killed an East Midlands Railway driver on Friday 19 June. The driver of the Corby to London St Pancras service passed a red signal moments before the collision.
Details of the Collision
The incident occurred at around 17:15 on the Midland Main Line, approximately 2.5 miles south of Bedford station, between Bedford and Flitwick. The Nottingham to London St Pancras service (train 1B67) was standing next to signal WH152 when it was struck from behind by the Corby to London St Pancras service (train 1H46).
The driver of train 1H46 died in the crash. A total of 162 people were injured, with 102 requiring hospital treatment. As of the latest update, 53 people remain in hospital, including eight in a critical condition.
Sequence of Events
Train 1B67 had stopped unexpectedly after a fault developed with its Automatic Warning System (AWS), causing its brakes to apply. Railway system data showed the track section where train 1B67 was standing was recorded as occupied, which should have automatically changed the signal behind it (WH154) to a red danger aspect.
Train 1H46, the 16:40 service from Corby, had left Bedford station at 17:10 on the Up Slow line before crossing onto the Up Fast line at Bedford South Junction. Forward-facing CCTV shows the train passed two yellow caution signals before approaching WH154. The footage reveals that signal WH154 was displaying a red aspect as the train approached and then passed it.
Data Analysis
The RAIB noted that the data recorder from the front vehicle of train 1H46, which could show AWS activity, is still being analysed after recovery during removal of the damaged train. A separate data recorder from the rear vehicle has been downloaded. It does not record AWS activity but does record speed and braking information.
Preliminary analysis shows the train’s brakes activated around nine seconds before the collision, while it was travelling at approximately 76mph (122km/h). The train was travelling at around 49mph (79km/h) at the point of impact.
Investigation Progress
The RAIB was notified of the accident at 17:27 and sent inspectors to the scene, with the first arriving at 18:26. Investigators have recovered on-train data recorders, obtained CCTV footage, signalling data, and radio communications recordings. The trains have been surveyed using laser scanning and aerial photography, while inspectors are overseeing tests of signalling equipment.
The damaged trains are being lifted by crane and moved by road to secure storage, with the recovery operation expected to take several days.
Scope of Investigation
The RAIB said its investigation will examine the actions of those involved, the performance of braking and safety systems on train 1H46, why train 1B67 stopped, the condition and visibility of signal WH154, the crashworthiness of both trains, the emergency response, and whether existing measures to manage the risk of trains passing signals at danger were effective.
The investigation is ongoing, and the RAIB stated that some details may be refined as more evidence is analysed.
