The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on the tragic accident that claimed the life of a CSX track worker who was struck and killed by a train in Estill, South Carolina on November 30, 2018.
According to the investigation, the track worker was repairing the surface of a track frog in the switch at the North End Estill Sliding Switch. The additional roadway worker that had been assigned to watch for approaching trains and warn the welder told investigators that the welder informed him the work had been completed. The crew members on the train said they didn’t know anyone was on the track until just before the accident occurred and despite sounding the horn and bell the crew received no response from the roadway workers.
The investigation is still ongoing and will focus on CSX operating rules, FRA safety standards in regards to roadway worker protection, and will review and assess the effectiveness of both the internal and external oversight of applicable rules and standards.
NTSB examines roadway worker safety standards in fatal CSX accident
