Train conductor, company face charges in connection with deadly Lac-Megantic derailment

CTV National News: Town confronts dark day Three railway workers appear in court facing criminal negligence charges in the Lac-Megantic train disaster. Genevieve Beauchemin reports.

Almost a year after a runaway train carrying crude oil exploded in Lac-Megantic, Que., killing 47 people, three men and the company responsible for the train are facing charges of negligence causing death.

The Crown prosecutor’s office in Quebec said Monday that 47 counts of criminal negligence have been filed against Thomas Harding, Jean Demaitre and Richard Labrie, as well as the U.S.-based Montreal Maine and Atlantic Railway, Ltd.

The three men were arrested Monday.

Thomas Harding is the locomotive engineer who parked the train for the night before it derailed and rolled into Lac-Megantic on July 6, 2013.

The other two men are also MMA employees.

A spokesperson for the Crown's office said the three men will appear in court Tuesday to face the charges.

In a brief statement to CTV News, Transport Minister Lisa Raitt thanked Quebec’s provincial police force for its investigation.

“I understand that this is difficult for those affected by the tragic incident in Lac Mégantic. As the matter is now before the courts, we have no further comment."

With files from The Canadian Press