UK train driver passed red signal before fatal collision: investigators

A British train driver died in a collision between two trains on Friday after passing a red stop signal and braking only seconds before impact, investigators announced Wednesday.

“

was displaying a red aspect

Shaun Burton, 60, was driving a London-bound electric train that crashed into another stationary train on the same track. The collision injured over 100 people, with 40 remaining hospitalized, four in critical condition, according to British Transport Police.

Preliminary findings from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) revealed that onboard CCTV showed the moving train approached and passed a red signal. Data from the train's black box indicated its brake was applied about nine seconds before the collision, when the train was traveling at approximately 76 miles per hour. It slowed to about 49 mph before hitting the stationary train.

“

around 9 seconds before the collision, while the train was travelling at approximately 76 miles (122 km) per hour

Investigators noted that the red signal should have triggered an audible and visual warning in the driver's cabin. The automatic warning system is designed to sound a claxon, which the driver must acknowledge. Failure to respond within a short timeframe automatically applies the train's emergency brake.

“

there is still much to establish

The investigation will also examine the positioning and visibility of the red signal, as well as the crashworthiness of both trains. The RAIB is still analyzing data from the front black box of the moving train due to damage, so it cannot yet comment on the functioning of its warning system or the driver's response. The stationary train had stopped due to a fault with its own automatic warning system.

“

it was important to understand how and why