A jury has retired to consider its verdict in the trial of a father accused of killing his four-year-old son, after he allegedly drove his car into the path of a freight train in south Auckland.
Alan Stephens, 40, has pleaded not guilty to reckless driving causing manslaughter and three charges of reckless driving causing injury in the High Court at Auckland.
The Crown alleges Stephens drove his car around barrier arms at a rail crossing at Paerata, near Pukekohe last year, and into the path of the train, which hit the back of the car. His son, Trae Blayde, received fatal injuries and daughters Shannyne, six, and Holly, two, and niece Nakita, 12, were injured.
Trae was flown by rescue helicopter to hospital, where he died of his injuries.
Nakita received severe head injuries and would have serious problems for the rest of her life, the Crown said.
Holly had subdural bleeding to the brain and Shannyne was cut and bruised. Stephens was uninjured.
The Crown called 24 witnesses during the trial, which is in its second week.
The jury of seven men and five women retired at 3:20pm today.
NZPA