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8/29/2024
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) yesterday opened its docket into a fatal accident that occurred in a CSX rail yard in Walbridge, Ohio, in September 2023. The investigation is ongoing.
The docket includes track inspection records; track disturbance report; transcripts of interviews with the mechanical supervisor, conductor, yardmaster, carman and manager of train operations; other records, statements and images.
On Sept. 17, 2023, a carman was walking from a parked truck across multiple tracks to line and lock a switch to prepare for rail-car inspections. As he began crossing the lead track to access the switch, he was struck by two CSX remote-controlled locomotives, which were traveling south about 10 mph.
The CSX mechanical crew involved in the accident consisted of two carmen. Shortly before the accident, they parked a truck east of the lead track and several yard tracks. Yard surveillance camera video showed the carman who later died exited the driver’s side door of the truck and walked west toward the switch on yard track No. 5. His movement placed him on the lead track and in the path of the locomotives.
The second carman, who was unaware that an accident had occurred, exited the truck’s passenger door and crossed the lead track to place a blue signal on yard track 5. As the second carman returned to the truck, he saw the first carman lying near the lead track. The second carman then radioed to stop all train movement in the yard and request help.