A passenger whose leg was broken during the fatal Bedford rail crash said the UK’s railways “don’t appear fit for purpose” after the collision and summer derailments.
Melanie Ross was travelling to London on an East Midlands Railways (EMR) Corby to St Pancras train which was stationary when it was hit by a train run by the same operator on June 19 at Elstow, near Bedford.
Shaun Burton, the 60-year-old driver of the moving train, was killed in the crash and more than 160 people were injured.
Ms Ross said she has not “been able to face getting back on a train” since the incident and is not sure when she will again.
Ms Ross said she was one of the ‘lucky ones’ despite breaking her leg in the crash (Handout/PA)
“Added to my own experience in Bedford in June, there have been derailments in the UK this year during the heatwave, which seems to suggest an infrastructure unable to cope,” she said.
“It’s clear there is much needed investment, our railways don’t appear fit for purpose, but whether that will happen, only time will tell.”
The retired solicitor suffered injuries including a broken leg, severe bruising and swelling and is continuing to have physiotherapy and trauma therapy to support her recovery.
Despite this, the 60-year-old said she considers herself “one of the lucky ones” as there were others with worse injuries than hers.
Ms Ross said: “I’ve never been a nervous traveller, and I’ve always felt comfortable on a train.
“I have three adult children who live in London, my husband works there, and much of our social life is in London.
“Prior to this I’d usually be on the train once or twice a week travelling to London, and I’ve done it for more than a decade, but I’ve not been able to face getting back on a train since, and I’m not sure when I will again.”
Train driver Shaun Burton, 60, died in the crash (BTP/family handout/PA)
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Recalling the incident, Ms Ross said: “There was no indication on board that anything was about to go wrong, or had gone wrong, until out of nowhere there was a loud bang and the train came to an immediate halt.
“I thought it had been a bomb and that we needed to get off immediately.
“I was crushed in my seat, probably because the whole seating infrastructure was shifted by the impact, and when I tried to stand, I realised I couldn’t support my weight and felt the pain.
“There were lots of people screaming hysterically, which I imagine was both in pain and in panic, as there were a lot of people seriously injured in the front carriage which I was in.
“I consider myself one of the lucky ones as there were many far more badly injured than me.”
Ms Ross, who is from Finedon in Northamptonshire, described the immediate aftermath of the crash as “complete carnage” and said the train “looked like it had imploded”.
She called 999 and had to be helped from her seat, down a ladder and off the train and tracks.
More than 160 people were injured when the two trains collided (Chris Radburn/PA)
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“I knew some people were really badly injured, there was lots of blood, but I tried to block it out as I knew I couldn’t help as I was injured, and I knew there were things I didn’t want to see and couldn’t really cope with seeing,” she added.
“It was awful.”
Ms Ross was taken by ambulance to Luton and Dunstable Hospital where she was treated, and she required a boot, crutches and a wheelchair in the weeks after the incident.
An initial report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) found Mr Burton had passed a red signal near the scene of the crash in Elstow moments before the collision.
Preliminary analysis of a data recorder recovered from the wreckage showed the train he was driving was travelling at 76mph when its brakes were applied nine seconds before the crash.
Its speed had reduced to around 50mph when the impact happened.
Investigators said the EMR train had been travelling at around 50mph at the time of the crash (Chris Radburn/PA)
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The RAIB said the stationary train involved in the collision had come to an “unexpected” stop after a fault with its automatic warning system (AWS) equipment caused its brakes to apply.
This resulted in the signal behind it automatically changing to red, investigators said.
Ms Ross said of the probe: “I’m reassured that RAIB are doing a thorough and meticulous investigation but I’m concerned by the findings already. It doesn’t paint a very reassuring picture.
“The first train stopped after a warning system triggered breaks when it had actually been a green signal anyway, so something went wrong there, and then the train I was on was able to go through a red signal and speed up, without any system to override the driver given what had happened ahead.
“Whatever findings and recommendations come out of the investigation must be acted on by all train companies and Network Rail so that rail travel is as safe as it can be, because all of us on those two trains were badly let down.
“I also want to ensure East Midlands Railway do all they should to reassure and support passengers who feel nervous, and to demonstrate the safety features of new trains which are introduced.”
Solicitor Paul McClorry, of Hudgell Solicitors which is representing Ms Ross and a number of passengers injured in the Bedford crash who are seeking compensation from EMR and Network Rail, said: “The final RAIB report has to highlight not just what went wrong, but say what needs to change to prevent a repeat of this awful event.
“Beyond the reasons as to why the first train stopped and the second passed a signal at danger, we need full details as to why the rail network’s safety systems proved completely ineffective.
“At this stage, they look potentially causative of the accident.
“We live in times of advanced technology and increasing automation, and incidents like this should simply not be able to happen.”
An EMR spokesperson said: “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with the family, friends and colleagues of EMR driver Shaun Burton, who tragically lost his life, and with every passenger, colleague and family affected by the collision near Elstow.
“We recognise the serious and lasting impact this tragic incident has had on many people.
The RAIB is continuing to investigate the incident (Chris Radburn/PA)
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“We welcome the publication of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch’s interim report and remain fully committed to working as an industry to support its independent investigation.“As RAIB makes clear, this is an interim report.
“Its findings may be refined as the investigation progresses, and important questions about why the collision happened remain under investigation.
“Given the complexity of the issues being examined, it would be inappropriate to comment on specific findings or speculate on the circumstances surrounding the collision before all of the evidence has been examined.
“We will continue to co-operate fully with RAIB while carefully considering the findings and any lessons that emerge from the investigation process.
“Our focus remains on supporting those affected by the incident, while continuing to work with the relevant authorities and carefully considering any recommendations identified through the investigation process.
“We will do everything we can to act on the lessons of this incident and take all appropriate steps to prevent something similar from happening again.”
Network Rail, the Department for Transport and the RAIB have been contacted for comment.