Placentia, Calif. ? A freight train ran a red light moments before slamming into a commuter train, killing two and injuring more than 260, investigators said Wednesday.

Stopping short of blaming human error, National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Marion Blakey said officials were continuing to investigate Tuesday’s head-on crash.

Two people were killed Tuesday in Placentia, Calif., when a Burlington Northern-Santa Fe freight train, at left, ran a red light and crashed head-on into a Metrolink commuter train.

But “there is no question the Burlington Northern train should have stopped,” she said.

The accident during morning rush hour left Metrolink passengers dazed and bloodied. Some were thrown from their seats; others clambered out windows of the double-decker commuter train.

Blakey said the freight train rolled through the signal at 48 mph, hitting the commuter train, which was stopped at the crossing. Investigators found no problems with railroad signals, equipment or the tracks, she said.

The freight train began braking about 2,100 feet before the crash, and had slowed to 20 mph at impact. The Metrolink engineer saw the other engine coming and ordered the commuter train to stop, Blakey said.

“He did have time to leave the cab to proceed toward the back of the first car and warn the passengers,” she said.

Killed in the crash were Robert Kube, 59, of Moreno Valley, and Lawrence I. Sorensen, 48, of Riverside. About 162 people were taken to 10 hospitals, said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Miller. Of those injured, 19 were described as serious. About 100 others were treated at the scene.

After the commuter train halted at the crossing, some riders, apparently thinking the train had reached its next station, stood up, according to passenger Bill Marin, 50.

“The people who were standing seemed to be the worst injured,” he said.