Drivers and Toll face prosecution over crash

Toll New Zealand and two of its train drivers will face the first criminal charges under new legislation after nine runaway carriages smashed into a Carterton man's car as he drove over an intersection.

Steve Geange, 56, was seriously injured last July as he drove over the uncontrolled intersection near Carterton.

Wairarapa Police area commander John Johnston said today the two train drivers involved and their employer, Toll New Zealand Consolidated Limited, would appear in Masterton District Court on February 13.

"This police investigation has, out of necessity, taken some time to get to this prosecution stage due to this being the first time that this piece of legislation has been placed before the criminal courts," Mr Johnston said.

The men have been jointly charged under the Railways Act 2005 with doing or omitting to do an act in respect of a rail vehicle that would, or would be likely to cause death or serious injury to individuals.

Toll New Zealand has been charged separately under the same section.

Toll New Zealand told NZPA they weren't making any comment because charges were pending.

- NZPA