A truck driver allegedly at the centre of a crash with a freight train that killed two people and shut down a major highway has cancer.
The Adelaide Magistrates Court heard that Kevin two counts, 75, is recovering from lung cancer and currently has prostate cancer.
A Pacific National freight train collided with a truck driven by Pearson at Bindarrah in South , about 30km from the NSW border, at around 10.30am on Sunday.
The train and truck were travelling in opposite directions along the Barrier Highway when the smash happened.
Kevin Baker, 57, and Mick Warren, 48, both from Port Augusta, who were working in the train, died in the crash, while Pearson suffered minor injuries.
The Adelaide Magistrates Court heard that Kevin Maxwell Pearson (pictured), 75, is recovering from lung cancer and currently has prostate cancer
Pearson was wearing the hi-vis shirt he was arrested in when he appeared by video link from the Port Pirie Magistrates Court on Tuesday afternoon.
He was charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving
His lawyer, Kylie Pligl told magistrate Karim Soetratma her client had driven trucks for more than 50 years,’ the Advertiser reported.
Ms Pligl said Pearson normally lives in the small north Queensland town of Tully Heads, but intended to stay within Port Pirie if he was granted bail.
The magistrate said he could allow the accused to go home to Queensland if he ‘put up a significant guarantee’.
But the lawyer said her client and his wife were both pensioners and they did not have the money to pay a large cash surety.
She said Pearson only does occasional truck driving work, which was why he was in South on a short assignment.
‘He’s got no relevant criminal history, and he has some health problems. He is recovering from lung cancer and currently has prostate cancer,’ Ms Pligl said.
‘He’s due to see a surgeon and needs to communicate with specialists in Townsville.’
Pearson was granted bail to live in a caravan park, on the condition that he check into the nearest police station every day.
A Pacific National spokesman said ‘This incident is having a profound impact across the organisation and our first priority is to ensure the highest level of care to the families of our drivers who have tragically died.’
The n Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the incident and is using Adelaide-based transport safety investigators with experience in train and railway operations to the site.
At around 10.30am on Sunday, a Pacific National freight train collided with a truck driven by Pearson at Bindarrah in SA, about 30km from the NSW border. The scene is pictured
Kevin Baker, 57, and Mick Warren, 48, both from Port Augusta, who were working in the train, died in the crash (pictured)
The deaths of Mr Baker and Mr Warren were the 115th and 116th lives lost on South ‘s roads in 2023 compared to 71 in 2022 (the crash scene is pictured)
‘As part of their evidence collection activities investigators will examine the level crossing infrastructure and rolling stock, interview involved parties and any witnesses, examine truck and train operational information, recover any relevant components for further examination at the ATSB’s laboratories in Canberra and analyse any recorded information,’ the agency said in a statement.
‘Should any critical safety issues be identified at any stage during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.’
The deaths of Mr Baker and Mr Warren were the 115th and 116th lives lost on South ‘s roads in 2023 compared to 71 in 2022.