Exeter Crossing Loop Collision - Questions

Questions

Questions were swiftly raised as to why two trains should collide when the goods train should have had the protection of the Home signal. The Mail train driver claimed that the Distant signal was Clear when he passed it, however as there was a thick fog at the time, he did not sight the Home signal, which was against him, until the train was right upon it.

At a subsequent trial, the driver of the Mail was brought before the Goulburn Circuit Court charged with manslaughter. At that trial, the Night Officer at Exeter gave evidence to the effect that the Down Distant signal was in fact at Danger at the time the Mail train passed. The Night Officer further stated that there was no fog that night, but that just before the Goods train arrived a slight mist had set in. However, the Goods train driver gave conflicting evidence, stating that on the night of the accident the denseness of the fog made it difficult to see the signals.