TWO maintenance engineers could face manslaughter charges after University of York professor Sally Baldwin was crushed to death at an Italian railway station.
Magistrates have placed Massimo Migotto, 37, and Sergio Marfurt, 29, under formal investigation after Prof Baldwin fell through a hole in a moving walkway in Rome.
The funeral of Prof Baldwin, 62, who died on October 28 when the walkway collapsed, was being held today at the Central Methodist Church, St Saviourgate, York.
It emerged today that the two engineers - now facing potential GBH and manslaughter charges - have told investigating magistrate Roberto Staff they switched off power and placed barriers around the walkway in an effort to stop passengers using it.
But when Prof Baldwin stepped on it the walkway had been working.
She fell through a hole that was left after five panels were removed, before being caught in the revolving cylinders beneath. She died at the scene.
Two men injured trying to help Prof Baldwin are still recovering in hospital. One may lose a leg; the other escaped with a bruised hand.
Prof Baldwin, of St John's Street, York, leaves a husband, Joe Callan, and two daughters.
An inquest on Prof Baldwin was opened and adjourned last week.
She died while on a week-long trip to Rome with friends, including ex-husband Jack Baldwin, 64, who was with her when the freak accident happened.
Updated: 10:36 Monday, November 10, 2003
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