GERMANY – In one of Germany’s worst rail disasters twelve people died and more than 80 were injured when two trains collided head-on at high speed near the southern Bavarian town of Bad Aibling in February.
Michael Paul, 40, the rail operator on duty, has admitted causing a fatal train crash by activating the wrong signals. His lawyer said, “After hitting the wrong signal buttons, Paul could still have prevented the crash by making an emergency phone call but he dialled the wrong number.”
However, when questioned by prosecutors about claims he was playing the a game on the mobile before the accident he refused to answer. (Rail dispatchers are banned from using their personal phones at work.)
Addressing families of the victims at his trial he told the families of the victims that he knew he was guilty and said, “I know that I cannot undo what has happened, even if I wish I could.”
23-year-old Thomas Staudinger, a passenger, said he believed Paul’s statement was “heartfelt”.
However, Peter Duerr, a lawyer for some plaintiffs, contended that the confession was tactical.
If found guilty Paul could face up to five years in prison.
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