Lee Yi-hsiang, the driver of the truck that caused the deadly train accident in Taiwan, offers a public apology as he is led by police on April 4, 2021. (Photo: AP-Yonhap News)
[Anchor]
A rail maintenance worker in Taiwan whose truck slipped down an embankment causing the island's worst train accident in decades has been detained by police.
He was held after giving an emotional apology via the media.
At least 50 people were killed and more than 200 injured in Friday's crash.
The BBC's Cindy Sui reports.
[Reporter]
Lee Yi-hsiang said he was deeply sorry and would cooperate with investigators.
His lorry rolled down a hillside onto the tracks just as the train was entering the tunnel.
Investigators say CCTV recordings on the front carriage showed the train driver only had 6.9 seconds to respond and the train was only 250 meters away from the lorry -- not enough time or distance for the driver to stop the train.
Investigators are looking into whether Mr. Lee failed to set the emergency brake or whether there was a mechanical failure in his vehicle.
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