“Hero” train manager praised by rail union following Bedford collision
The RMT union says the train manager helped prevent any further potential disaster
The rail union is praising a ‘heroic’ train manager who helped prevent a further disaster after the fatal collision near Bedford.
Around 100 people were injured in the crash on Friday when the 4.40pm Friday departure from Corby to London St Pancras hit the rear of the 3.50pm departure from Nottingham to the same destination.
British Transport Police confirmed yesterday that eight people are still in a critical condition, while 53 others are in hospital.
The driver, Shaun Burton, 60, died in the incident.
John Watson, regional organiser of RMT union, has praised the quick thinking of the train manager who - despite being injured himself - alerted controllers to close the line while checking everyone else was ok.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Mr Watson said: “Even though you're trained to carry out these things, until something actually happens, it's about whether you remember to put that training into action - He did.
“He put himself second and put everybody else first. So, in my view, he's gone above and beyond. He's a hero.”
Watson added that without the quick actions of the train manager, there could have potentially been further disaster.
“With the potential derailment, any train coming in the opposite direction could have either hit people that are evacuating onto the track.
“There's also a risk that a train coming in the opposite direction could have hit the vehicle that was slightly derailed, causing another accident of trains coming in the other direction, which would have been going at a lot higher speed.”
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander told the Commons earlier this week she was “particularly moved to hear” the story of the train manager who helped during the aftermath.
“As I’ve said before, I truly believe the best of us show up in the worst of times - and that is again the case here”, she said.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is currently investigating the cause of the collision.
An update from the independent investigation is expected ‘in the coming days’.