Harding was advised to just put the hand brakes

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Tom Harding
Accused

Caroline Lepage

Wednesday, 11 October 2017 21:21

UPDATE
Wednesday, 11 October 2017 21:21

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SHERBROOKE | The driver of the train that exploded in Lac-Mégantic, Tom Harding, had been warned to only apply the hand brakes on his locomotive carrying 72 cars full of oil, as provided for in the regulation.

When the tragedy of the July 6, 2013, the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic (MMA) Railway followed the requirements of the Canadian Pacific, who were asked to rely solely on hand brakes to stop the trains.

“The train should be left without air brake “, has specified the deputy director at the transport of the MMA, Michael Horan, on day 6 of the trial of Tom Harding, Richard Labrie and Jean Demaître, the three ex-employees of the MMA accused of criminal negligence causing the death of the 47 victims.

Warning

Photo By Caroline Lepage

Michael Horan
Witness

December 31, 2012, Mr. Horan has received an email from the superintendent of the MMA, Paul Budge, who had noticed that the automatic brakes remained applied on a train parked at Nantes.

Mr. Budge asked him to intervene in this matter with Tom Harding, and locomotive engineers so that it does not happen again. Little reminders surrounding the hand brakes would nevertheless have been transmitted.

The Crown alleges that Harding have applied a number clearly insufficient hand brakes, on the evening of July 5, 2013.

According to Mr. Horan, the number of hand brakes depends amongst others on the number of wagons, the temperature, the inclination of the track and the weight of the convoy. A procedure allows the train driver to ensure that his train is properly locked only with hand brakes.

Mr Horan outlined the control measures of the MMA. He held security meetings with the staff.

“I had a minimum of 15 tests per month to produce,” he said.

♦ Tuesday : An assistant director at the transport of the MMA has explained several rules and components of the middle rail.

♦ Thursday : cross-examination of Michael Horan