The family of the train driver killed in the collision between two trains near Bedford on Friday have paid tribute to him.
Shaun Burton, 60, died when two East Midlands Railway trains collided on the same track.
His family said: “We are devastated by his loss. Our thoughts are also with those affected by this incident.”
BTP said the family have asked “for their privacy to be respected as they begin to come to terms with this devastating loss”.
“Our thoughts continue to be with them and his colleagues at East Midlands Railway,” a BTP spokesperson said.
Twenty eight people remain in hospital and nine are in a critical condition following the crash, British Transport Police have said.
On Sunday, Network Rail described the crash as a “tragic, isolated incident” and that a “complex recovery operation” to remove the damaged trains and carriages from the railway had begun.
Investigators will be on the scene for the coming days. Credit: PA
EMR managing director Will Rogers also paid tribute to the mainline driver, who he said joined the company in 2019, describing him as a “dedicated railway professional whose commitment, service, and professionalism touched the lives of colleagues and passengers alike”.
He added: “His passing is a devastating loss to his partner, family, friends, and the wider railway community.
“Shaun was known for his quick-wit, kind, generous, and intelligent nature, and for always having a smile on his face.
“He was a well respected colleague both in his role as a driver, and in his previous role as a train manager, often acting as a trusted advisor and available to share his wisdom, support and guidance to others. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”
Pictures the company released on Sunday showed a temporary road being built on to the field next to the train track, which will be used by a crane that will move the carriages on to a trailer to be driven away.
A new road being built to the scene of the crash, to assist with recovery and investigations. Credit: Network Rail handout/PA
Engineers will then need to assess the damage and complete repairs, meaning services through Bedford will be disrupted throughout the week.
There will be no services north of Luton towards Bedford on the busy commuter Thameslink line and no EMR services south of Bedford, with a limited rail replacement bus service running between Luton and Bedford, Network Rail said.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is investigating the incident and said it would provide a further update once more is known about the crash.
More than 80 people were treated in hospital on Friday night and as of Saturday morning 28 remained in hospital, with nine in a critical condition, BTP previously said.
EMR has created a phone line for customers and families directly involved in the crash, including for the recovery of personal possessions. The number – 0333 212 59 34 – is open from 7am to 8pm weekdays, 8am to 8pm on Saturdays and 10am to 8pm on Sundays.
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