A train derailment that trapped and seriously injured a Denver rail worker happened when a railroad switch was in the wrong position, causing railcars to crash into a train that was already on the line.
The crash happened early Aug. 5 at BNSF Railway’s Globeville yard in Denver and trapped the train conductor under one of the derailed cars. The man’s leg was amputated.
The train had just arrived from Lincoln, Neb., and crew members were trying to use the train to push another train down the tracks, the released Tuesday.
But the switch, which allows trains to be moved between different tracks, was instead lined up to move the train onto a line that was occupied, .
The crash derailed eight cars , including three from the train that was hit. The conductor was thrown from the train, which fell onto him as it derailed.
NTSB officials said the next phase of the investigation will focus on identifying and preventing industry hazards, training on the right way to use switches and procedures for “shoving movements.”
This is a developing story and may be updated.
