SA: Truck driver arrested after Ghan crash

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2006
SA: Truck driver arrested after Ghan crash

ADELAIDE, Dec 13 AAP - The truck driver involved in the crash of the Ghan passenger
train has been arrested.

Darwin police have confirmed that the 57-year-old man, who is in Royal Darwin Hospital,
was arrested last night.

But a spokeswoman said he had yet to be charged with any offence and would only be
interviewed when he was considered well enough.

"He will be interviewed when he is in a fit state," she said.

The truck driver was one of four people hospitalised after the Ghan collided with a
road train about 130km south of Darwin yesterday.

The force of the impact derailed two locomotives and 11 carriages.

A 50-year-old female passenger was in a critical but stable condition while the three
others were listed as satisfactory.

There were 82 people on board the Ghan, including 65 passengers, at the time of the crash.

Most were bussed back to Darwin last night while the rail line was closed until further notice.

Northern Territory Police major crash investigators and officers from Australian Transport
Safety Bureau have begun their inquiries into the cause of the incident.

AAP tjd/drp/bwl

KEYWORD: GHAN ARREST

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