Experts question train death theory in Luthuli inquest
Expert witnesses have this week picked apart
the evidence given by the driver of the train that is said to have killed Chief
Albert Luthuli in 1967.
On Thursday, Lesley Lubuschagne, a qualified steam locomotive driver, continued his testimony in the reopened inquest into Luthuli's death.
He told the Pietermaritzburg High Court that if Luthuli had been struck by a train, his injuries would have been different.
"At the speed of the train, the distance between the train and the bridge, there had to have been most severe injuries to the body, if not completely dismembered," said Lubuschagne.
"I'm not able to explain how the injury on Chief Luthuli's head happened."
READ: Crime expert questions eyewitness in Luthuli inquest
On Wednesday, he commented on a part of the driver's evidence, describing in detail the clothes that Luthuli was wearing when he was found.
"The impact would've torn Chief Luthuli's coat and shirt off, and the force of the impact would've removed his shoes. It's not possible that he was hit by a train, my lady, impossible.
"I don't think that the driver was even certain that he had knocked anybody over.
"I think that the driver saw somebody at the very last minute, assumed and made up a story."
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Lubuschagne's testimony followed that of crime scene expert, Brenden Burgess, who analysed evidence given by doctors who treated Luthuli on the day he died.
Their evidence was also looked at by a medical expert who found that Luthuli had defensive wounds.
"Probable cause of the injury sustained may remain inconclusive. Considering the additional information received, it is most probable that Mr. Albert Luthuli was the victim of an assault, and that Mr. Albert Luthuli was placed on the railway line prior to the arrival of the train," said Burgess.
The matter will be back in court next week.
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