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North Qld fatal train crash case in court

Michael Joseph Nugent, 67, is charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death following an incident which resulted in the deaths of two train drivers.

Police allege Nugent was driving a truck that hit a train at a Bruce Highway level crossing at Conn, 200 kilometres south of Cairns, on November 27, 2008.

Nugent’s case was briefly mentioned in the Tully Magistrates Court on Thursday, when a committal hearing date was set down for January 30.

The case has been transferred to the Innisfail Magistrates Court.

Nugent, who is on bail, did not appear in court.

Townsville train drivers Richard Wetherell and Michael Smithers were killed and another person was seriously injured in the crash.

About 80 passengers were on board the train, which was travelling from Brisbane to Cairns.

The engine rolled in the collision but the passenger carriages remained upright.

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