This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35585302
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Germany train crash: Human error to blame, says prosecutor | Germany train crash: Human error to blame, says prosecutor |
(35 minutes later) | |
Human error by a train controller was to blame for a crash in Bavaria, Germany, last week that killed 11 people, prosecutors said. | Human error by a train controller was to blame for a crash in Bavaria, Germany, last week that killed 11 people, prosecutors said. |
Dozens more were injured after two commuter trains collided on a single-track stretch of railway. | |
An area controller opened the track to the two trains and tried to warn the drivers, according to the prosecutors. | An area controller opened the track to the two trains and tried to warn the drivers, according to the prosecutors. |
The man, a 39-year-old, is likely to be charged with involuntary manslaughter and could face five years in jail. | The man, a 39-year-old, is likely to be charged with involuntary manslaughter and could face five years in jail. |
"If he had complied with the rules... there would have been no collision," said Chief Prosecutor Wolfgang Giese. | "If he had complied with the rules... there would have been no collision," said Chief Prosecutor Wolfgang Giese. |
The trains crashed head-on while both were travelling at about 100km/h (60mph) east of Bad Aibling, a spa town about 60km south-east of Munich. | The trains crashed head-on while both were travelling at about 100km/h (60mph) east of Bad Aibling, a spa town about 60km south-east of Munich. |
Investigations focused on why the trains were on the tracks at the same time despite safety mechanisms. | Investigations focused on why the trains were on the tracks at the same time despite safety mechanisms. |
The crash site is on a bend, meaning the drivers no visual contact so collided largely without braking, officials said. | The crash site is on a bend, meaning the drivers no visual contact so collided largely without braking, officials said. |
Prosecutors said the controller's actions had "catastrophic" consequences but they do not believe he acted deliberately. | |
The investigation ruled out technical faults with the trains or signalling system as being behind the crash. | |
All those killed in the crash were men aged between 24 and 59. | All those killed in the crash were men aged between 24 and 59. |