Government blames train driver for Santiago de Compostela train crash

A report commissioned by the Spanish Government into the Santiago de Compostela train crash has blamed the train driver for the tragedy. The expert Committee of Railway Accident Investigations (CIAF) report concluded that the July 24 2013 crash – which killed 79 people – was due to “excess speed resulting from the driving personnel’s failure to comply with speed limit regulations.”

The CIAF, which answers to the Public Works Ministry, say that the Alvia train, a hybrid model that can run on ordinary as well as high-speed tracks, was going at around 190km/h at the time of the accident.

The speed limit at that section of the track was 80km/h due to an upcoming bend.

Cabin recordings revealed that train driver was distracted by a phone call from the conductor, and failed to notice the new speed sign until it was too late.

Security footage shows the train hitting the turn at high velocity and consequently coming off the tracks.

Luis Aláez, the judge investigating the Galicia train derailment – one of Europe’s worst rail accidents in recent history – is also targeting Adif (the state railways infrastructure manager) for failing to install technology that is capable of automatically slowing a train down in the event of human error.

Despite the blame being put on driver Francisco José Garzón, who admitted to his mistake immediately following the crash, the report also makes some recommendations to Adif and to railway operator Renfe.

The report recommends the installation of new signs warning drivers about sudden speed changes, and security mechanisms to automatically slow down speeding trains if necessary.

Also called for is a safer internal communications system for train personnel, in order to avoid the kind of distraction faced by Garzón.

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