Arkansas Train Accident Lawyers

NTSB Determines That Crew's Failure To Remain Attentive Caused Rail Accident In Arkansas

The National Transportation Safety Board has determined today that the probable cause of the October 15, 2005 collision of two Union Pacific trains in Texarkana, Arkansas was the failure of the crew of train ZYCLD 13 to remain attentive and alert and thereby able to stop before striking an observable standing train in front of them.
Contributing to the severity of the accident was the puncture of a tank car during the collision, which resulted in the release of propylene, a compressed flammable gas. Additionally, the yardmaster did not immediately provide emergency responders with a consist which would have immediately identified the contents in the tank cars, including hazardous materials.

As a result of the accident in the Union Pacific rail yard, propylene flowed into a nearby neighborhood and an unknown source ignited the gas causing a house to explode. Approximately 3,000 residents within a 1-mile radius of the punctured tank car were advised to evacuate the area.

"Proper emergency notification and response procedures are vital to saving the lives of people involved in an accident and minimizing the effect on neighboring communities," said NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker. "It is imperative that Safety Board recommendations addressing emergency response coordination and communication are implemented." Read more at ntsb.gov

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