Crane driver charged with endangering train users

A crane driver has been bailed to reappear in court later this month after the arm of his machine was left dangling from a bridge over railway tracks near Aylesford, Kent.

A Paddock Wood-to-Gillingham train struck the crane arm on 5 February, causing a shoulder injury to the only passenger on the late-evening service.

Crane driver John Whitfield, 54, from Darlington, Co Durham, has been charged with endangering railway passengers by wilful omission or neglect by acting in the absence of safety proceedings required for working on or near a railway.

The crane was being used to inspect bridges at the time of the incident.

Whitfield appeared at a preliminary hearing at Maidstone Magistrates Court last week and was remanded on unconditional bail until 22 August to reappear at the court and enter a plea.