Crashed Spanish train was over 4 times speed limit

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

MADRID, Aug 24 (Reuters) The inter-city train that crashed in north-west Spain on Monday, killing six people and injuring dozens, was travelling at more than four times the speed limit, a government report said today.

The rails and rolling stock were in good condition, the report said.

The train was travelling at 125 kph when it ploughed off the tracks at the town of Villada, instead of the 30 kph limit.

The first carriage smashed into the pillar of a bridge, ripping off its side and dragging other carriages off the rails. Among the train's 426 passengers were pilgrims returning home after visiting the tomb of Saint James in the city of Santiago de Compostela.

The train's black box revealed that the driver had registered an alert telling him to slow down, shortly before the crash, the Transport Ministry said.

However, the driver told police he had not been warned and had obeyed signals, Spanish media reported.

Tests showed the driver, a man with 25 years experience, and the signal man were clean of drink and drugs, the report said.

REUTERS LL ND1510

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