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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Rail crash convictions overturned | Rail crash convictions overturned |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A train driver found guilty of manslaughter after a rail crash which killed five people in March 1989 has had his convictions overturned. | A train driver found guilty of manslaughter after a rail crash which killed five people in March 1989 has had his convictions overturned. |
| Robert Morgan, 64, of Ferring, West Sussex, was operating a London-bound train which collided with another service outside Purley station. | Robert Morgan, 64, of Ferring, West Sussex, was operating a London-bound train which collided with another service outside Purley station. |
| More than 80 other people were injured in the crash. | More than 80 other people were injured in the crash. |
| He was originally jailed for 18 months, 12 of which were suspended, but the term was cut to four months on appeal. | He was originally jailed for 18 months, 12 of which were suspended, but the term was cut to four months on appeal. |
| 'Delighted and relieved' | 'Delighted and relieved' |
| Mr Morgan did plead guilty to two counts of manslaughter, but he launched a challenge to his convictions which was based around evidence concerning a particular signal on the line. | Mr Morgan did plead guilty to two counts of manslaughter, but he launched a challenge to his convictions which was based around evidence concerning a particular signal on the line. |
| He was driving a Littlehampton to London Victoria train which went through a red light and collided with a Horsham to Victoria service. | He was driving a Littlehampton to London Victoria train which went through a red light and collided with a Horsham to Victoria service. |
| New evidence was presented that signal T168 had been passed when on red on four occasions before the fatal crash, between 1984 and 1987, and then again in June 1991. | |
| Three Appeal Court judges ruled Mr Morgan's convictions unsafe on Wednesday. | Three Appeal Court judges ruled Mr Morgan's convictions unsafe on Wednesday. |
| A statement issued through his solicitor after the hearing said he was "both delighted and relieved" at the appeal verdict. | A statement issued through his solicitor after the hearing said he was "both delighted and relieved" at the appeal verdict. |