Texas Train Accident Lawyers

NTSB Determines That Crew Fatigue Caused Train Collision

"Get enough sleep - it sounds so simple and yet we continue to see accidents caused by fatigue," said NTSB Acting Chairman Mark V. Rosenker, "How many more tragedies have to occur before employers and employees get the message that being well rested is critical to job performance?"

The accident occurred on June 28, 2004 near Macdona, Texas. A Union Pacific Railroad (UP) train was traveling westbound on the same mainline track as an eastbound BNSF Railway (BNSF) train. As the BNSF train was entering a parallel siding, the UP strain struck its midpoint. The collision derailed four locomotive units and the first 19 cars of the UP train as well as 17 cars of the BNSF train.

As a result of the derailment the 16th car in the UP train, a tank car loaded with liquefied chlorine, was punctured. The chlorine vaporized and engulfed the area surrounding the accident site. Three people, the UP conductor and two local residents, died from the effects of chlorine gas inhalation.

The Board's investigation determined that sleep debt, disrupted circadian processes, limited sleep during the weekend preceding the accident, and long duty tours reduced the capacity of the UP engineer and conductor to remain awake and alert the night of the accident trip. The Board also noted that the UP conductor's consumption of alcohol on the evening before the accident likely added to his fatigue. Read more at ntsb.gov

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