Georgia Varley train guard’s post traumatic stress disorder ‘could have affected his memory’

Nov 14 2012 by Gary Stewart, Liverpool Echo

THE train guard accused of causing the death of Georgia Varley may not be able to properly remember the tragedy, according to a leading clinical psychologist.

Christopher McGee, 45, is on trial for manslaughter and health and safety breaches following the death of the Wirral sixth form student who fell beneath a train.

Within an hour of her death, McGee, of Edenhurst Avenue, Wallasey, filled out an incident form saying he thought she was moving away from the train when he signalled to start it.

But CCTV shown to jurors showed she was still leaning against the window at the time it pulled away, causing her to fall off the platform.

McGee, who has worked on the Merseyrail network for more than 20 years, suffered post-traumatic stress disorder following the tragedy.

On the final day of evidence in his trial, Professor Christopher Brewin, an internationally respected expert on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was called to explain why his illness may have affected his recall.

Peter Birkett, QC, defending, asked how PTSD manifested. Prof Brewin said: “People feel as though they were reliving the event, as if they were back there at the time.

“People spend a lot of time trying to block out these thoughts and images.

“It affects their ability to feel normal emotions. They may become socially isolated.

“They may feel a sense of threat and danger that affects them wherever they go.”

Mr Birkett asked to what extent it might affect his client’s ability to recall a “particularly stressful incident”.