Truck driver pleads guilty to derailing Katherine train
Christopher Berto pleaded guilty to careless driving after his truck collided with a locomotive and derailed it in Katherine in 2023.
Berto's road train collided with a locomotive on June 14, 2023, as he was transporting gravel from a quarry in the Katherine region. The impact derailed the freight train and seriously injured two workers on board.
Christopher Berto was not speeding or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Berto said he did not see the crossing lights when they started flashing; he had about 70 seconds to slow the prime mover before impact but could not stop it in time.
One worker needed wrist surgery and was off work for three and a half months, then had to change careers due to lasting pain. The other suffered a back injury requiring ongoing physiotherapy and struggled with the physical limitations it caused.
Berto has experienced flashbacks and sought counselling since the crash. Sentencing will take place next month.
- June 14, 2023
- Date of collision
- 37
- Driver age
- 70 seconds
- Time to brake
- 2
- Workers injured
Why it mattersA truck driver's split-second lapse at a railway crossing caused serious, lasting injuries to train workers and highlighted how dangerous moments at level crossings can be.
AustraliaThis Katherine crash highlights how quickly decisions at railway crossings can seriously injure train workers. Safety at level crossings affects drivers and railway staff right across Australia.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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