A COACH driver accused of causing the death of an elderly pedestrian outside Carlisle railway station has appeared in front of a crown court judge.

Michael Cockton, 47, faces one charge following an incident at the Court Square site close to the city centre at around 6.20pm on November 30 last year.

A police spokesman reported in the aftermath that a rail replacement coach had crashed into the main entrance of the railway station. Two people were said to have been hurt as a result of the collision. One was 75-year-old pedestrian Roger Denwood, of Cockermouth, who died 15 days later, on December 15.

As a result of the incident, coach driver Michael Cockton, aged 47, was prosecuted and he currently stands charged with causing Mr Denwood’s death by dangerous driving.

Cockton, of St Helens Avenue, Flimby, near Maryport, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court this morning (Monday).

During a short hearing in front of Judge Michael Fanning, he spoke from the dock to confirm his name and date of birth.

Judge Fanning heard submissions from both the prosecutor in the case, Tim Evans, and Cockton’s barrister, Kim Whittlestone, as family members of Mr Denwood listened in the public gallery of the court room.

No plea was entered by Cockton to the charge he faces at this stage.

After hearing submissions, Judge Fanning ruled that the case should be adjourned so that the level of the charge could be reviewed by a senior Crown Prosecution Service lawyer.

Cockton is due to return to Carlisle Crown Court on December 16 when an update is due to be provided. In the meantime Cockton remains on unconditional bail.

An inquest opened earlier this year into the death of Mr Denwood heard he had been transported, after the collision, to a trauma centre in Newcastle where life saving treatment was attempted.

However, his injuries were too severe and he was transferred to Carlisle’s Eden Valley Hospice for end-of-life care.