Railway crash inquiry begins
PA Wellington The. Government-ordered independent inquiry began yesterday into last year's fatal commuter train crash in the Wellington rail yards. Two passengers died and 53 were injured in the crash on March 24, when a Porirua unit collided with a shunting locomotive. The inquiry, headed by a retired District Court judge. Mr Max Willis, is being held behind closed doors at the Commissions of Inquiry office. When the inquiry was
given the . go-ahead by the Prime ■ Minister (Mr Muldoon) two months ago, he said the hearings would be in private to avoid a retrial of the engine driver, Mr Kevin Smith, who has already been acquitted on a manslaughter charge. Mr Smith was present yesterday, with rail union representatives, Railways officials and legal representatives. . Mr Willis must report back his findings on the causes of the crash by July 31. Mr Muldoon has said the results will be made public.
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Press, 19 May 1981, Page 2
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154Railway crash inquiry begins Press, 19 May 1981, Page 2
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