Spanish train crash: Driver Francisco Jose Garzon de Amo was 'on phone and reading at time of rail crash' that killed 79

Francisco Jose Garzon de Amo was allegedly travelling at almost twice the 50mph speed limit on a curve going into the city of Santiago de Compostela (Getty)

The driver of a train that derailed last week, killing 79 people, was on the phone and reading a document as he travelled at 95mph (153kph) before the crash, a court was told.

Francisco Jose Garzon de Amo was allegedly travelling at almost twice the 50mph speed limit on a curve going into the city of Santiago de Compostela, where the train careered off the track and smashed into a wall on Wednesday, according to data recovered from "black box" recorders. It was also claimed he had been going as fast as 120mph (193kph) just before the accident.

Investigators told a preliminary hearing at the Court of Justice of Galicia that Mr Garzon 52, only slammed on the brakes "seconds before the crash". They said he was answering a call from the state rail company, Renfe, and consulting a paper document at the time. The driver is charged with negligent homicide. A magistrate is also investigating whether the train, the tracks or security systems that slow down trains may have been at fault. Sixty-six people remain in hospital – 15 in a critical condition.

Reuters