Train driver in urination tragedy

Authorities now believe that a German train driver died after he opened a door to have a pee while the train was moving.

Officials began investigating after a train was stopped between stations in Berlin on May 31, as an electronic signal from its cabin alerted railway controllers that the train had no driver.

Drivers have to press a safety button - a 'dead man's switch' - at regular intervals, otherwise a computer on the train stops it automatically, and alerts authorities that there is a problem.

The driver was found dead with his trousers open by the side of tracks several hundred metres away from the train, and police now say that it appears he fell out of the locomotive after he opened a door to relieve himself from the train.

The train was travelling at 70 mph at the time.

A spokesman for the train driver's union, Maik Brandenburger, said: 'It is not at all unusual that staff relieve themselves out of an open door while driving. With only one driver they cannot take a leak otherwise.'

He did however note that this would normally be done when the train was moving slowly.