The master of a cargo ship that struck Battersea Bridge has been cleared
The master of a cargo ship that struck Battersea Bridge has been formally cleared of navigating without due care and attention. The judge in the case at Kingston Crown Court was unable to sit in court after injuring his back and the jury was discharged, and prosecutors decided to offer no evidence for a re-trial.
61-year-old Brian King was in charge of the 300-tonne James Prior when it veered off course and got wedged under the bridge in September 2005. £500,000 of damage was caused to the bridge which was subsequently closed for six months while repairs were carried out.
