An investigation into a Colorado coal train derailment and bridge collapse that killed a truck driver is focused on whether inspection and maintenance practices at BNSF Railway contributed to the accident, federal officials said Thursday.
The steel bridge built in 1958 collapsed onto Interstate 25 Oct 15, when a broken rail caused 30 cars from a BNSF Railway train hauling coal to derail, the National Transportation Safety Board said based on preliminary findings.
Broken rails and other track problems are a leading cause of derailments, according to federal accident data.
Political Cartoons View All 1230 ImagesThe BNSF train was travelling about 32 mph (52 kph) — below the 45 mph (72 kph) limit for the area, the NTSB said.
There were more than 12,400 train derailments in the U.S. in the past decade, or more than 1,200 annually, according to Federal Railroad Administration data based on reports submitted by railroads.
Persons:
Lafollette Henderson
Organizations:
BNSF Railway, National Transportation Safety, NTSB, BNSF, Federal Railroad Administration
Locations:
Colorado, Pueblo, Compton , California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, U.S