`Hamburger with the lot’ charges in Ghan smash case

<p>The truck driver hit by The Ghan at a level crossing in December last year would plead guilty to four of nine charges, his lawyer said today (Friday, May 18).</p> <p>The crash, 160 km south of Darwin at Ban Ban Springs, caused the derailment of two locomotives and nine carriages, blocking the line for several days and causing several million dollars’ worth of damage.</p> <p>The truck driver and one of the 62 passengers aboard the train were injured when The Ghan, travelling at more than 100 km&#47h, collided with the truck. </p> <p>John Thomas Bohning, 57, has been charged with multiple driving offences, including doing a dangerous act and driving an unregistered, uninsured, unsafe vehicle.</p> <p>Mr Bohning’s lawyer Peter Maley said his client intended to plead guilty to four of the nine charges, with the intention to plead guilty to a further three charges, if the prosecution could substantiate them.</p> <p>Mr Maley told the court his client had been charged with the police prosecutor’s &#8220hamburger with the lot&#8221, the <em>Sydney Morning Herald </em> reported.</p> <p>Magistrate Sue Oliver set the matter down for a two-day oral committal on October 15 and 16 with a mention on October 1.</p> <br />