WASHINGTON – The CSX Transportation carman who was struck and killed by a pair of locomotives in Walbridge Yard on Sept. 17 was walking from his truck to line and lock a switch at the time of the accident, the National Transportation Board said today in its preliminary report.
Visibility was clear at the time of the 3:24 a.m. accident near Toledo, Ohio, and the area was illuminated by yard lighting, the NTSB said.
“At the time of the accident, the accident carman was walking from a parked truck across multiple tracks to line and lock a switch to prepare for railcar inspections. As he began crossing the lead track to access the switch, he was struck by the locomotives, which were traveling south about 10 mph,” the NTSB said.
The locomotives of yard job Y397 were under the control of a remote control operator who was positioned on the lower ladder on the west side of the trailing locomotive at the time of the accident, the NTSB said.
“The CSX mechanical department crew involved in the accident consisted of two carmen. They started their shift at 11:00 pm, September 16, 2023, the day before the accident. Shortly before the accident, they parked a truck east of the lead track and several yard tracks,” the NTSB said. “Yard surveillance camera video reviewed by National Transportation Safety Board investigators showed the accident carman exit the driver’s side door of the truck and walk west toward the switch on yard track 5. His movement placed him on the lead track and in the path of the locomotives. The second carman, who was unaware that an accident had occurred, exited the truck’s passenger door and crossed the lead track to place a blue signal on yard track 5. As the second carman returned to the truck, he saw the accident carman lying near the lead track. The second carman then radioed to stop all train movement in the yard and request help.”
NTSB investigators reviewed data from forward-facing locomotive cameras, including those of the yard locomotives and a passing train, as well as a yard surveillance camera. They also observed remote control operations, conducted interviews, inspected the locomotives, and conducted sight distance observations.
The investigation is ongoing. Immediately after the accident, the Transportation Transportation Communications Union & Brotherhood of Railway Carmen called for a review of the use of remote control locomotives.
The NTSB preliminary report, however, said that “future investigative activity will focus on CSX’s carmen safety procedure training and awareness.”
After the accident, CSX issued a safety alert to all employees that emphasized safety briefings, situational awareness, and emergency action plans.
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