Bedford train crash driver died from 'traumatic injuries to brainstem and chest'

A pathologist has given the cause of death for the train driver killed in last month's rail crash near Bedford.

An inquest heard 60-year-old Shaun Burton died from "traumatic injuries to the brainstem and chest, pending further investigation" following the crash on 19 June.

Mr Burton, from Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, died when the East Midlands Railway (EMR) train he was driving hit the back of a stationary train run by the same operator.

An inquest into the circumstances surrounding Mr Burton's death opened at Bedfordshire and Luton Coroners Court in Ampthill on Tuesday.

He had passed a red signal moments before the collision near the scene of the crash in Elstow, according to an interim report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) published on 24 June.

The stationary train involved in the crash had come to a halt "unexpectedly" after a fault with its automatic warning system (AWS) caused its brakes to apply, the RAIB said.

This resulted in the signal behind it automatically switching to red, investigators added.

Images from a CCTV camera on Mr Burton's train showed 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 showed the brakes were applied while the train was travelling at 77mph, about 200 yards before the crash. Its speed had reduced to 49mph by the moment of impact.

The RAIB said its full investigation would consider "the actions of those involved and any factors that may have influenced them".

Some 162 people were injured in the collision, 102 of whom needed hospital treatment.

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Mr Burton's family were informed 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 was adjourned until the conclusion of the RAIB and British Transport Police investigations.

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