Questions Remain About Cause of Devastating and Deadly Train Crash in New York

     New information regarding the Metra train derailment on Sunday, December 1, 2013 has come to light. According to investigators, the train was traveling at least 82 mph as it approached a curve near the Spuyten Duyvil bridge where the train derailed at approximately 7:22 a.m. The speed limit at the curve was only 30 mph. According to the investigators, the engineer, a 20-year-veteran, had the brakes fully applied for only 5 seconds prior to the derailment.

     According to  the National Transportation Safety Board member, Earl Weener, the throttle of the train was fully engaged only 6 seconds prior to the derailment.  In Weener's opinion, the brakes should have been fully applied earlier. 

     However, investigators have stated that it is unclear at this time whether human error or defective equipment was to blame for the crash. The investigation has yet to uncover whether the brakes failed or whether the engineer simply failed to slow the train down in time. In a statement made shortly after the incident, the train's engineer stated that he attempted to brake before the train hit the curve, but the brakes were not working properly. According to Senator Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., it is too early at this time to make any conclusions about the train's excessive speed at the moment of derailment. 

    Investigators are also looking into whether additional safety measures, which are available to the New York commuter train system, would have helped to prevent this tragic accident. As of approximately 11:30 pm CT on Monday, December 2, 2013, at least 19 injured people remained hospitalized after the derailment.

Information contained within this article can be found here and here. 

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