 In another instant I met an engine on the up road giving sharp whistles, and saw a red lamp from it, which I took to mean that there was something out of the ordinary way.I reversed my engine, and reapplied my steam, and as soon as that was done the collision occurred Still travelling at some speed, the Leeds express ploughed through the tender and carriages blocking the line (this, rather than the first collision, is when most – if not all – of the deaths are thought to have occurred).The Abbots Ripton signalman had just started his 12-hour shift at 6 p.m. His colleague on the day shift returned to work on hearing of the first collision, arriving soon after the second collision.