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. He took over the speaking telegraph, because whilst the duty signalman "appeared to be doing his best to send the message" he "was confused at the time, and I felt I was more able to send the message than he". Messages seeking assistance were then sent to Huntingdon and Peterborough.