Madrid, May 25, (dpa/GNA) – A Portuguese government agency has demanded that two shepherds, hand over €25,000 ($29,100) in compensation, after a regional train ran over 89 of their sheep last year.
The state rail and road network operator, Infraestruturas de Portugal, justified the demand for a total of €26,400 by citing damage to the train and major delays to rail services.
The accident happened on December 28 in the Montemor-o-Velho district nearly 200 kilometres north of Lisbon. At dawn, the driver said he suddenly saw the herd lying on the tracks while coming out of a bend, media reported at the time. Despite applying the emergency brake he was unable to prevent the collision. The train did not come to a halt until about 540 metres after impact.
Sixty-five of the animals belonged to one shepherd and 24 to another. Six trains were cancelled and two others partially cancelled. In addition, 36 services were delayed by a total of 580 minutes.
The shepherds are appealing against the demand for payment. Their lawyer Vítor Gaspar told the newspaper Correio da Manhã that it was an accident without deliberate behaviour. Such incidents were part of the general risk of rail traffic.
GNA