Driver in Spanish train disaster quizzed by judge

The driver of a Spanish train that derailed at high speed was questioned by a judge yesterday as officials tried to determine if he was responsible for the accident, which killed 79 people.

Francisco Jose Garzon Amo, 52, has been held by police on suspicion of negligent homicide. Reports said he was allowed leave the court last night but his passport was detained.

The train, carrying 218 passengers in eight cars, hurtled far over the 80kph speed limit into a high-risk curve on Wednesday, tumbling off the tracks and slamming into a concrete wall, with some of the cars catching fire. The Spanish rail agency has said the brakes should have been applied 4km before the train hit the curve.