What Happened:
A parade float was passing through a railroad crossing on its way to an honorary banquet in Midland, Texas, when a freight train slammed into it. Four wounded veterans were killed and 17 other people died.
The Huffington Post reported that the train blasted its horn when the engineer saw the float on the track, and preliminary reports indicated that the crossing gate and lights were operational. A tractor-trailor was pulling the float across the track when the accident happened.
About two dozen people were seated on the float. When they saw the train coming, many people began to jump off the float. When the train hit the float, people flew in all directions, according to witness reports. Two people died at the scene, and two more died later at the hospital.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.
The North Carolina Injury Lawyer’s Perspective:
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family members who lost loved ones in this terrible train accident. All of the victims in this tragic wreck may have viable claims against either Union Pacific and possibly from other parties, such as the sponsor of the wounded veterans event, and the driver of the truck that was pulling the float.
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