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SHERBROOKE — One of the most closely watched Canadian trials in recent years ended Friday with the acquittal of three former railway employees who were charged with criminal negligence causing the death of 47 people in the Lac-Megantic tragedy.

The jurors reached the verdict on their ninth day of deliberations.

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Tom Harding, Richard Labrie and Jean Demaître were charged with criminal negligence in the 2013 tragedy that killed 47 people when a runaway train carrying crude oil derailed and exploded.

“Mr. Harding is too moved by the situation to give a coherent expression of what he feels inside,” Thomas Walsh, one of his lawyers, told reporters after the verdicts were handed down.

“But I know he feels terribly relieved and terribly thankful to the system, the jury system, and this jury in particular.”

Crown prosecutor Veronique Beauchamp said it is too early to say whether there will be an appeal.