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2 killed, 3 injured when freight train derails in small West Texas city after collision
U.S. NEWS
2 killed, 3 injured when freight train derails in small West Texas city after collision
BY JAMIE STENGLE AND JOSH FUNK
Updated 6:07 PM EST, December 19, 2024
Two Union Pacific employees were killed and three people were injured when a freight train collided with a tractor-trailer and derailed in a small West Texas city, authorities said Thursday.
The train derailed around 5 p.m. Wednesday in Pecos after the collision at a railway crossing, authorities said. Union Pacific, based in Omaha, Nebraska, said Thursday that two employees had been killed. Pecos Police Chief Lisa Tarango said the other injuries were minor.
Although hazardous materials were being carried aboard the train, none were released in the derailment, city officials said. The hazardous materials included lithium ion batteries and air bags. … Leaked diesel fuel was contained, officials said.
The National Transportation Safety Board sent a team to investigate. It said in a statement Thursday that it doesn’t determine or speculate about the cause during the on-scene phase of the investigation.
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2 killed, 3 injured when freight train derails in small West Texas city after collision
BY JAMIE STENGLE AND JOSH FUNK
Updated 6:07 PM EST, December 19, 2024
Two Union Pacific employees were killed and three people were injured when a freight train collided with a tractor-trailer and derailed in a small West Texas city, authorities said Thursday.
The train derailed around 5 p.m. Wednesday in Pecos after the collision at a railway crossing, authorities said. Union Pacific, based in Omaha, Nebraska, said Thursday that two employees had been killed. Pecos Police Chief Lisa Tarango said the other injuries were minor.
Although hazardous materials were being carried aboard the train, none were released in the derailment, city officials said. The hazardous materials included lithium ion batteries and air bags. … Leaked diesel fuel was contained, officials said.
The National Transportation Safety Board sent a team to investigate. It said in a statement Thursday that it doesn’t determine or speculate about the cause during the on-scene phase of the investigation.
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Hat tip, Progressive Railroading
Rail News Home Federal Legislation & Regulation 12/20/2024
NTSB investigating fatal train derailment in Texas
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a fatal Union Pacific Railroad train derailment that occurred Dec. 18 in Pecos, Texas.
The accident occurred when the UP train collided with a tractor-trailer stopped on the track at a grade crossing. As the train derailed, it crashed into the local Chamber of Commerce building. The train conductor and engineer both died as a result of their injuries, UP confirmed.
"We are saddened by the loss of two Union Pacific family members in Pecos, Texas, and extend our deepest sympathies to their families and the employees who worked alongside them. We are investigating as we cooperate with local first responders," UP officials said in a statement.
NTSB sent six investigators to the scene, the agency announced on social media.
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NTSB investigating fatal train derailment in Texas
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a fatal Union Pacific Railroad train derailment that occurred Dec. 18 in Pecos, Texas.
The accident occurred when the UP train collided with a tractor-trailer stopped on the track at a grade crossing. As the train derailed, it crashed into the local Chamber of Commerce building. The train conductor and engineer both died as a result of their injuries, UP confirmed.
"We are saddened by the loss of two Union Pacific family members in Pecos, Texas, and extend our deepest sympathies to their families and the employees who worked alongside them. We are investigating as we cooperate with local first responders," UP officials said in a statement.
NTSB sent six investigators to the scene, the agency announced on social media.
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NTSB releases preliminary report on Pecos train derailment
By Odessa American - December 21, 2024
The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a preliminary report on the train derailment in Pecos that claimed the lives of Union Pacific workers Phillip Araujo and Clay Burt. The accident occurred about 5 p.m. Dec. 18.
According to the report, a northbound truck tractor-low boy trailer combination (operated by Voss Trucking) hauling the base of a wind turbine, attempted to traverse the railroad tracks at the highway grade crossing located at U.S. 285 and Cedar Street (Crossing number 796254N) Milepost 646.83 of the Toyah Subdivision, in Pecos. The truck tractor-low boy trailer combination was unable to proceed through the intersection for reasons under investigation.
Shortly thereafter, the crossing warning devices (lights and bells) activated, and the gate struck the truck as it attempted to lower into position. A westbound Union Pacific train, ZAILA-18, collided with the trailer, causing the wind turbine base to detach and be propelled into the air. The equipment struck a nearby building, causing significant damage. The train derailed upon impact, resulting in the derailment of all four head-end locomotives and 25 intermodal wells, the report said.
Six NTSB investigators arrived at the accident site Thursday to begin the on-scene phase of the investigation. … It has not yet been determined how long the truck was on the tracks before the collision or if anyone attempted to contact the railroad prior to the collision through the emergency contact number that was posted at the grade crossing.
The speed limit in that section of track was 70 mph. Preliminary data show the train was traveling around 68 mph before the crew applied emergency braking prior to impact. … The head-end locomotive event data recorder was removed from the wreckage and is being transported to the NTSB materials laboratory in Washington, D.C.
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By Odessa American - December 21, 2024
The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a preliminary report on the train derailment in Pecos that claimed the lives of Union Pacific workers Phillip Araujo and Clay Burt. The accident occurred about 5 p.m. Dec. 18.
According to the report, a northbound truck tractor-low boy trailer combination (operated by Voss Trucking) hauling the base of a wind turbine, attempted to traverse the railroad tracks at the highway grade crossing located at U.S. 285 and Cedar Street (Crossing number 796254N) Milepost 646.83 of the Toyah Subdivision, in Pecos. The truck tractor-low boy trailer combination was unable to proceed through the intersection for reasons under investigation.
Shortly thereafter, the crossing warning devices (lights and bells) activated, and the gate struck the truck as it attempted to lower into position. A westbound Union Pacific train, ZAILA-18, collided with the trailer, causing the wind turbine base to detach and be propelled into the air. The equipment struck a nearby building, causing significant damage. The train derailed upon impact, resulting in the derailment of all four head-end locomotives and 25 intermodal wells, the report said.
Six NTSB investigators arrived at the accident site Thursday to begin the on-scene phase of the investigation. … It has not yet been determined how long the truck was on the tracks before the collision or if anyone attempted to contact the railroad prior to the collision through the emergency contact number that was posted at the grade crossing.
The speed limit in that section of track was 70 mph. Preliminary data show the train was traveling around 68 mph before the crew applied emergency braking prior to impact. … The head-end locomotive event data recorder was removed from the wreckage and is being transported to the NTSB materials laboratory in Washington, D.C.
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