Amtrak investigation turns to why equipment on tracks

NTSB investigators do not know why a backhoe was on a track the train was using. Scheduling, the track structure and the work being performed at the time of the accident would be part of the investigation.

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April 5, 2016

Amtrak investigation turns to why equipment on tracks

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CHESTER, Pa. — As the Delaware County Medical Examiner identified the two workers killed when an Amtrak train crashed into a backhoe on the tracks, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials said the train was going 106 mph in a 110 mph zone and that the engineer placed the train into emergency mode five seconds before impact, NBC10 reports.

An official for the NTSB also said that "no anomalies" were found after investigators examined the locomotive and passenger cars, along with their maintenance records. Video revealed construction equipment and work train equipment were on the track and immediately adjacent to the Amtrak train's track at the time of the crash. Investigators do not know why the equipment was on a track the train was using. Scheduling, the track structure and the work being performed at the time of the accident would be part of the investigation, according to the NTSB. For the full story, click here.

Topics:accidents Amtrak derailment fatalities investigation NTSB Management Rail Security and Safety

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