A collision between two CSX freight trains between Richmond and Williamsburg Thursday morning is a reminder of the dangers on our nation’s rail system to passengers and railroad workers alike.
Many details of the collision remain unclear. But The Associated Press reported that five cars on one train derailed and struck a caboose on an adjacent track.
The crash happened in Henrico County, just outside Richmond. No one was hurt and the crash didn’t involve hazardous materials.
Three of the rail cars that derailed were empty, a CSX spokesman told The AP, while the other two carried coal and pump board.
The rail line where the collision happened also carries Amtrak’s service to Hampton Roads, interrupting service indefinitely, WTKR reported.
Our firm is familiar with the law concerning railroad accidents, and we have successfully represented many railroad workers.
This is not the first time CSX has been in the news recently. In mid-October, a pedestrian walking in Huntington, W.Va. was struck and killed by a CSX train. My colleague John C. wrote about the fatal accident shortly after it happened.
A number of questions were left unanswered in the wake of the fatal crash: was the train’s horn sounded? What were the sight lines for the engineer and the pedestrian? Did the engineer follow all the proper procedures?
Fortunately, no one was hurt in Thursday’s derailment. Hopefully the accident will improve safety in the future for workers and also for passengers.
(MM)