NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Midland Train Accident

December 6th, 2012 |

MIDLAND, Texas – - A preliminary report has been released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Weds., Dec. 6, that gives several details on the facts leading up to the fatal crash that that killed four veterans during a parade on Nov 15th.

KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

The horrific accident took place back on Nov 15, when a Union Pacific train crashed into a parade float carrying wounded veterans and their families killing four servicemen two of whom saved their wives by pushing them to safety before they died and injuring several others.

The NTSB report states the 50-year-old driver of the flatbed was going five miles per hour over the railroad crossing. At that same time the Union Pacific train coming from Los Angeles was going 62 mph, which is under the speed limit of 70 mph in that particular area.

The report says the engineer sounded the train’s horn and applied the brakes, but the train slid more than 4,000 feet. The front end of the train hit the rear end of the flat bed carrying the veterans. The flatbed then slid about 30 feet and hit a Midland Sheriff Deputy’s car.

More details should surface as the investigation continues.

Posted by Gordon &amp Elias, a FELA lawyer and Texas railroad injury lawyer who publishes train accidents and FELA legal news from across the United States.