The Welshpool man charged with endangering the safety of passengers following the Buttington train crash in 2013 has been found not guilty.
John Elwyn Roberts pleaded not guilty last year. His original trial was due to take place last summer but it was then adjourned until January but was again adjourned due to his ill health.
Now the Crown Prosecution Service has decided not to proceed because of Mr Roberts’ health problems and offered no evidence at Mold Crown Court yesterday (Friday).
The 74-year-old defendant of Oldford Rise, Welshpool, whose job it was at the time to wave contract tractor drivers across the line after checking it was safe to do so, had denied the charge of endangering the safety of train passengers and crew.
The crash between the Arriva Wales passenger train and a tractor and trailer occurred at a farm crossing close to Buttington Hall on July 16, 2013.
The tractor driver and two other people nearby suffered minor injuries in the collision, which caused significant damage to the front of the train, which was travelling from Birmingham International station to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli in Wales.
Judge Niclas Parry recorded a formal not guilty verdict and said the prosecution had taken a merciful view.
Proceedings against the tractor driver involved were dropped previously.