Germany: Train controller admits responsibility for Bad Aibling crash



MUNICH: -- A train area controller has admitted responsibility for a rail crash near Bad Aibling, Bavaria, which killed 11 men, aged 24-59, and wounded dozens more.

The 39-year-old confessed to opening the track to two trains, then attempting to alert the drivers.

One of the trains was late and the controller reportedly tried to resolve the problem manually.

He is likely to be charged with involuntary manslaughter and could face a five-year jail term.

Prosecutors say they don’t believe he acted deliberately, but stressed that his actions had “catastrophic” consequences.

A matter of hours after the crash, sources close to the investigation had already suggested human error was to blame. Police, politicians and rail officials, however, stressed the need to wait for the outcome of the inquiry.


-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-02-17

How did the controller think he could resolve the problem of a late train by opening the track to two trains?

The system would have otherwise resolved the problem by holding one train at the bypass until the other train arrived. Attempting to alert the two train drivers seems to have been an afterthought when the controller realized his solution was a mistake.

Perhaps this ill decision was due inadequate training on dealing with different traffic situations. However, a late train arrival on a single track system would seem to be a commonly expected scenario. And if it wasn't, there should have been a procedure to elevate the problem to a supervisory level for advice. In hindsight it's clear that the management needs to periodically check controller profficiency. Blame for the accident goes beyond the controller.

Poor man made a mistake and he will have to live with what happened for the rest of his life. He is not the first person to have made a mistake and he will not be the last.

Well, at least someone has stepped up to accept the blame. In Thailand, the controller would probably have made a run for it, while the SRT and ministers would be working on how best to avoid any liability.