Spanish Train Driver Bragged About Speed

Francisco Garzón Amo imagined flying past authorities: report
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 26, 2013 5:50 AM CDT
Updated Jul 26, 2013 7:43 AM CDT
Spanish Train Driver Bragged About Speed
This Thursday, July 25, 2013 photo provided by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shows young Mormon missionary from Utah, Stephen Ward, 18, hospitalized. Ward was among the survivors of the Spain train crash that left 80 dead.   (AP Photo/The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Scott Jackson)

The driver of a Spanish train that derailed yesterday, killing at least 78 people, has now been arrested—and his Facebook posts probably won't help his case. One photo posted to his account shows a speedometer reading of 125mph, along with a note that it "has not been tampered with," the New York Times reports. "Imagine what a rush it would be traveling alongside the Civil Guard, and passing them so that their speed traps go off," wrote Francisco José Garzón Amo, 52. "Hehe, that would be quite a fine for (train firm) Renfe." When the train crashed Wednesday, it was reportedly traveling at 120mph—twice the local speed limit. The Times notes that Garzón had replaced another driver just 60 miles before the crash occurred.

Garzón is currently in the hospital, where he has a police guard, and will likely face questioning today, Reuters notes. He had been working for Renfe for 30 years and driving trains for 10, including a year on this particular line. Meanwhile, some 95 people remain hospitalized, with 32 in serious condition. A Virginia woman traveling with her husband and teenage daughter was killed in the crash, reports Fox News. At least five more Americans were hurt, including an 18-year-old Mormon missionary from Utah who gave an interview to the AP. "The train lifted up off the track. It was like a roller coaster," Stephen Ward said. Spain is holding three days of national mourning, the BBC notes. (More Spain stories.)

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