Truck owner rues deadly train crash

TAIPEI, Taiwan — The owner of a construction truck that caused Taiwan’s worst rail accident in decades, killing 48 people, apologized in tears while being led away from his home by police Sunday. The unmanned truck’s emergency brake was not properly engaged, according to the government’s disaster relief center.

An investigation is underway as to how exactly Lee YiHsiang’s vehicle slid down onto the tracks Friday from a nearby construction site on the mountainous coast of eastern Hualien county. The truck was hit by a passenger train carrying 494 people, which derailed just before entering a tunnel, crushing many passengers inside the mangled train carriages.

The death toll was revised down to 48 on Sunday, after rescuers initially said 51, then 50 people were killed. The changes came after some body parts were found to belong to one individual, a spokesperson for the Central Emergency Operation Center said. At least 198 people were injured.

“I have caused a serious accident on the Taiwan Railway Administrations’ Taroko train No. 480 during this year’s Tomb Sweeping Holidays, causing deaths and injuries. To this, I express my remorse and my sincerest apologies,” said Lee, who is also the construction site’s manager, his words muffled by a mask and by emotion. “I will cooperate with the authorities’ investigation fully and take responsibility.”

Prosecutors in Hualien county previously said they were seeking an arrest warrant for the truck’s owner, who was questioned along with several others.

The Hualien district court initially allowed Lee to post bail of $17,516, but that decision was reversed Sunday when a higher court in Hualien rescinded the decision to allow bail, Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported.

Train travel is popular during Taiwan’s four-day Tomb Sweeping holiday, when families often return to their hometowns to pay respects at the gravesites of their elders. It’s also an opportunity to take a vacation.