Townsville Magistrates Court: Brother of Bentley Parsgaard allegedly killed in train, car crash pleads for answers as Paul Kynan Gray has charge mentioned in court

The heartbroken brother of a Townsville man who died in a train and vehicle crash has stood up in court demanding answers as to when his family will learn more about the man who allegedly caused the crash.

Townsville Magistrates Court: Brother of Bentley Parsgaard allegedly killed in train, car crash pleads for answers as Paul Kynan Gray has charge mentioned in court Picture: Heidi Petith and Estelle Sanchez

A man, stricken with grief after his brother allegedly died in a train and car crash has stood up in court asking for more answers in regards to the man allegedly responsible for the accident.

In Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning, the matter of Paul Kynan Gray who has been charged with one count of operating a vehicle to cause grievous bodily harm or death was mentioned.

The 40-year-old was charged after the LandCruiser he is alleged to have driven crashed into a coal train west of Bowen in July last year, killing the passenger, Townsville man Bentley Parsgaard.

Mr Gray’s legal representation Mathai Joshi told magistrate Susan Warrington that a doctor’s report has been prepared declaring the man would have to attend the mental health court in Brisbane.

At the back of the courtroom, Mr Parsgaard’s family sat together and listened to the mention when towards the end a visibly upset man stood up.

“How long is this going to take?” the man said with a shaky voice.

“Sorry, I’m the brother of the fella that Paul Gray killed in a train accident. How long is this going to take?”

Magistrate Warrington paused and the court went quiet.

“My mental health, I’m seeing a psychologist myself because I lost my best friend and he wants to claim mental health because he did a stupid thing by driving through the train tracks? He killed my brother,” he said.

“How long is this going to take,” he repeated once again.

Her Honour explained to the man that she understood his emotions and said Mr Gray would be assessed in the mental health court.

The brother asked, “Is he still going to be charged?”

One of the women that was standing with the brother also said the matter had been receiving adjournments since November last year.

“Sorry for my head space, I need to know how this mental health court works,” the brother said.

When Her Honour further explained the process of the mental health court, Mr Joshi suggested it could be best that someone from the police prosecution’s office get in touch with the family and explain the process.

Police prosecutor Emily Olditch agreed and said someone from the office would make contact with Mr Parsgaard’s family.

“We hear nothing,” one of the family members said.

Mr Gray’s matter was adjourned to December 3 in Townsville Magistrates Court to allow for the doctor’s report to be finalised, and the man’s bail was enlarged.

No pleas have been entered.

The brother whispered, “sorry” as the family exited the courtroom.

Originally published as Townsville Magistrates Court: Brother of Bentley Parsgaard allegedly killed in train, car crash pleads for answers as Paul Kynan Gray has charge mentioned in court