MADRID: The driver of a train that derailed in Spain killing 79 people was on the phone to a coworker at the time of the accident, while the train was racing at nearly twice the speed limit, investigators said yesterday.
The train’s two data recording “black boxes” showed that moments before the crash the train was travelling at 192 kilometres per hour, said the Superior Court of Justice of Galicia, which is leading the investigation.
“Seconds before the accident the brakes were activated. It is estimated that at the time of the derailment the train was travelling at 153 kilometres an hour,” it said in a statement. The speed limit at the spot is 80 kilometres
an hour. AFP
