Federal safety officials launch probe into Chicago commuter train crash

CHICAGO — Federal safety officials stated Friday they have got introduced an investigation into a Chicago commuter train crash that injured just about 40 folks however they are most probably greater than a 12 months clear of freeing any conclusions about what brought about the incident.

National Transportation Safety Board Chairperson Jennifer Homendy stated all over a brief news convention Friday {that a} workforce of 7 investigators from her company has began documenting the scene of the crash. They be expecting to spend about 5 days at the scene.

The investigators have no longer reviewed match recorders or video of the incident but, she stated. The company expects to factor a initial document in a question of weeks, she stated, however did not specify when. The company will most probably want a 12 months to 18 months to supply a last document with an research of what came about, conclusions and suggestions, Homendy stated.

The Chicago Transit Authority train was once heading south from Skokie on Thursday morning when it rear-ended snow-removal apparatus that was once transferring forward of it at the identical tracks. Thirty-eight folks had been harm; 23 had been taken to space hospitals. No one suffered life-threatening accidents, in line with paramedics.

It stays unclear whether or not the train operator noticed the apparatus and attempted to decelerate or forestall the train prior to the collision. It’s additionally unclear whether or not the operator have been warned the apparatus can be at the tracks.

Homendy had no main points Friday at the train’s pace or what can have induced the crash.

Jim Southworth, the NTSB investigator main the probe into the crash, stated the train was once provided with an automated train keep watch over gadget that’s designed to assist save you collisions by means of preventing the train in sure cases. Homendy stated investigators will glance into what function, if any, the gadget performed within the crash.

The NTSB has stated that gadget isn’t as complete because the more moderen automated braking gadget referred to as Positive Train Control. Congress required maximum railroads to put in Positive Train Control within the wake of a 2008 collision between a commuter and freight train in California that killed 25 and injured greater than 100.