Train Company, Drivers Face Criminal Charges

By CHURCHOUSE, Nick

TOLL NEW ZEALAND and two train drivers will face the first criminal charges under the new Railways Act after a runaway train almost killed a Carterton man.

A six-month investigation by Wairarapa police has led to charges under Section 7 of the new act against the transport company and two locomotive engineers.

The men have been jointly charged with doing or omitting to do an act in respect of a rail vehicle that would, or would be likely to, cause death or serious injury to individuals. Toll has been charged separately under the same section.

Steve Geange, 56, was hit by a train of nine carriages as he drove over an uncontrolled intersection near Carterton at 5.30am on July 29. The wagons, weighing 190 tonnes, had rolled 16 kilometres through 12 railway crossings before hitting Mr Geange’s ute at about 70kmh, leaving him with severe head injuries.

Detective Sergeant Mark McHattie alleged: “The two engineers were in charge of the locomotive, and the parent company is liable as well.”

Toll would not comment.

Mr Geange — a Dominion Post delivery contractor at the time — said he was more concerned about getting well and back to work than the outcome of the court case.

“The main thing is to get myself right. When you come out of something like that you think `I’m just so lucky to be alive’. You’re not even remotely concerned about what everyone starts talking about.”

Toll and the two engineers, who were stood down immediately after the incident, will appear in Masterton District Court on February 13.

The maximum penalties for an offence under section 7 of the Railways Act are a fine up to $500,000 for a corporation, or $50,000 and six months in prison for an individual.

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