'It doesn't go that fast. It would take an act of sabotage': Shocking assessment from officials into the miniature train derailment that killed six-year-old boy and injured 28

The sinister twist came as a memorial service was held for Benjamin Easler, who died in the crash, at the church where his father is the pastor in Charleston, South Carolina.

Neighbouring Greenville county, which runs a similar miniature train at one of its parks, said that the crash was not an accident.

Greenville's recreation commissioner John Liston told MailOnline for the train to come off its tracks on its own would be unlikely.

'It doesn't go that fast. It would take an act of sabotage,' he said.

An accident? Rescue workers gently stretcher an injured child from the track after a children's train ride derailed in South Carolina, killing a six-year-old boy. Officials say sabotage could have played a part

His sentiments were echoed by officials at Spartanburg Park where the incident happened on Saturday afternoon.

Jeff Caton from the Spartanburg Parks Commission said the driver, Matt Conrad, was a veteran driver, who trains new intern drivers.

'Matt got here at about 9:00 and prepared train and did some solo runs around the track and made sure everything was in working order,' Caton told WSPA.

He added: 'I’m going to suggest to you the train has been in operation for 58 years and we've never had problem.'

But while officials were suggesting sabotage may be to blame, passengers on board the train were telling a different story.

A statement released by Corinth Baptist Church, where Rev Dwight Easler - Benji's father - is pastor said: 'We have no idea why it derailed but it seemed to be going a little fast according to those on board.'

The church added it had 16 members of its congregation on the train - three adults and 13 children aged between six and 11 - with four still in hospital.