Early in the morning on Sunday, December 1, a devastating train crash occurred on New York’s Metro-North railroad. 4 were killed and 62 were injured during the crash. Unsurprisingly, many are demanding to know how and why the tragedy occurred. Just hours after the crash, officials launched an investigation, and although they aren’t 100% clear on what caused the event, here’s what they know so far.
82 mph Before a Treacherous Curve
Investigators found that the derailed train was traveling approximately 82 miles per hour as it approached a dangerous curve near Spuyten Duyvil in the Bronx. That’s nearly three times the speed limit of the area. The train’s engineer, William Rockefeller, said he promptly tried an emergency breaking maneuver when he realized how fast the train was going. However, by then it was too late.
A Distracted Engineer
Mr. Rockefeller said he was less than alert in the moments prior to the crash. He described himself as being in a trance-like state as the train approached the curve. He said he hadn’t fallen asleep, but he wasn’t fully awake either.
Officials are taking a closer look into the engineer’s conditions at the time of the crash. Mr. Rockefeller said he wasn’t drinking or on drugs while operating then train. The first investigator to speak with Mr. Rockefeller also said he did not appear to be under the influence of any substances at the time.
Officials are also looking into other possible distractions. They did not find a phone or other device near Mr. Rockefeller, but aren’t convinced he wasn’t making a call or sending a text message. They are tapping the records of nearby cell towers to prove conclusively whether or not he was on the phone.
Track and Mechanical Conditions
At this time, investigators do not believe the crash was caused by mechanical or track conditions. Mr. Rockefeller’s testimony does not seem to indicate that the crash was caused by brake failure. However, at this stage, officials cannot rule out these problems. The railroad’s safety board will continue to investigate until it is sure what caused the crash.
It’s important to remember that even if the crash was caused by human error, the operator still has rights. If the derailment was completely his fault, the victims and their families will likely seek revenge in court, and chances are they’ll have good representation. Just like you would hire the best motorcycle accident attorney if a car hit you on your bike, you can bet those affected by the crash will have excellent lawyers on their side.
Bad Luck for Metro-North
Besides the lives lost and people injured, the railroad itself has been damaged by the crash. The Metro-North is working to repair the railroad as quickly as possible; however, the derailment certainly took its toll. The cars weren’t cleared from the tracks until late Monday evening. Then, workers had to clear debris and lay a number of new rail ties. Next, they’ll use a device called a Rail Vac to vacuum smaller debris and stone from the ties. However, they still have a lot of work to do before they can restore service. Metro-North still has to the repair track nearest to the river in Spuyten Duyvil, which suffered extensive damage during the derailment.