Bedford train crash: Black boxes recovered as initial probe reveals train had slowed to 49mph at the point of collision

It had been travelling at 76mph and managed to hit the brakes at around nine seconds before the collision.

The independent Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has published its initial findings in a preliminary report but admitted there was more work to do.

It said black boxes (on-train data recorders) had been recovered from both trains and confirmed there was clearly a fault on the first train.

Eight people are in a critical condition and a further 53 people remain in hospital following the collision near Elstow. Shaun Burton, 60, one of the the train drivers, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The RAIB said the first train had come to “a stop unexpectedly because a fault had developed with the Automatic Warning System (AWS) equipment fitted to it, which caused the brakes to apply”.

It said because of this, the signal changed behind it to red danger and there would have been an audible and visual warning to train drivers on the approach.

It said: “This warning is intended to alert the driver to the upcoming signal or speed change. When receiving a horn warning, a driver must acknowledge this by pressing a button in the cab. If the warning is not responded to within a short timeframe, the train’s emergency brake is applied.”

During its initial investigation, the RAIB says images show the train passed a yellow (caution) signal – and then passed the RED DANGER SIGNAL.

However the report stated data from the black box is still being analysed, adding: “This means that it is not yet possible to say what indication the driver received from the AWS equipment on the train or how they responded to this.”

It said preliminary analysis shows there was a brake activation around nine seconds before the collision, decreasing from 76mph to 49mph at the point of collision.

Will Rogers, managing director at EMR, said: “Following the publication of investigation update from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), we are fully committed to working as an industry to support the continuing investigation.

"We are deeply sorry that this has happened on our railway. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with those affected, particularly EMR driver Shaun Burton, who tragically lost his life.

"While any incident like this is extremely serious, Britain’s railway remains one of the safest in the world, with fatal accidents extremely rare relative to the 1.7 billion journeys made each year. Independent comparisons continue to rank the network among the safest in Europe.

"Given the complexity of the issues being examined, it is important that the independent investigation is allowed to reach its conclusions. As the investigation remains ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment on specific findings or speculate on the circumstances surrounding the accident before all of the evidence has been examined.

"We will continue to cooperate fully with the RAIB and Office of Rail and Road and await the findings of the final report before commenting further.

"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 ensure this never happens again.”