FOUND GUILTY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8559, 23 October 1913, Page 7

FOUND GUILTY

AISGILL DISASTER ENGINE-DRIVER GRIEF-STRICK-EN AT TRIAL. By Telegraph—Pros Association— Copyright LONDON, October 21. At the trial at Carlisle of Caudle, tho driver of the second train in the recent disastrous collision at Aisgill, Yorkshire, on a charge of tho manslaughter of Sir Arthur Douglas, Caudle readmitted his neglect of tho signals. Questioned regarding tho effect of this ho broke down and wept, and sat grief-stricken during the remainder of the proceedings. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, with a strong recommendation to mercy on account of accused’s onerous duties and difficulties. Sentence was deferred.

At the Board of Trade inquiry, Caudie told liis story in a clear, uiuicsitafiiia manner, and was twice complimented by tho inspector for tho satisfactory way lie had given evidence. He is a nan cl fifty-nine years, and his record of i'uriy years' service with the Midland Railway has been untarnished by any entry for insobriety, while ho has on seven occasions received rewards for vigilance. No attempt was made by the driver to conceal anything. He frankly admitted that lie ran past signals without observing them. He had “a sort of idea” Uiat he had seen the distance signal “off" at Mallerstang, but he did not take a second look at it, as was his invariable practice, and he acknowledged he ought to have done so. The home signal at Madorstang he did not see because he was working at the injector. Nor did ho notice the signal box or thtf starting signal. When he had got the injector to work he recollected that he had not looked at the signals, but he did not follow tho regulations in such a case and proceed with caution, because he thought ho had been losing time on his journey through want of steam, and he never expected any train would bo standing in the section. The fireman. Follows, was just as ready to take full responsibility- for his share in tho disaster. Indeed, ho seemed to •insist that he had an equal duty with tho driver to observe the signals, which Major Pringle was not willing to admit. When the inspector remarked that it was more the duty of the driver than the fireman to sec the signals, the fireman replied that "it is the duty of both of us,” and it was only when Major Pringle observed: “I think I can see it is his duty more than yours,” that the fireman admitted that tho driver had better opportunities for observing the signals, as his eyes were not affected by tho glare of the furnace.