Two workers who were inspecting train tracks Saturday afternoon were hit and killed by a commuter train returning from routine maintenance work in the San Francisco Bay area. The tragedy came amid a strike that has closed the Bay Area Rapid Transit system to riders over the past several days. BART’s Assistant General Manager Paul Oversier stated at a news conference that, at the time of the accident, the four-car train was being operated in automatic mode under computer control. Oversier stated that there were numerous people aboard the train, but he would not reveal who had been operating the train.
The accident occurred just before 2 p.m. Saturday in the East Bay city of Walnut Creek. One contractor and one system employee were killed in the crash. The names and ages of the individuals killed were not immediately released. BART officials said that the train was at a yard where workers were cleaning off graffiti. According to BART, the two workers who died in the accident were performing track inspections. Both individuals had extensive experience in this line of work.
Officials from the unions representing BART’s train operators and other system workers warned of the danger inherent in allowing managers to operate trains, which was BART’s plan if a strike occurred. The unions have been out on strike since Friday. BART officials refused to answer questions concerning the union’s warnings about train safety during a strike. The National Transportation Safety Board announced late Saturday that it will take over investigations surrounding the accident.
Train kills 2 track workers amid SF Bay strike, www.palmbeachpost.com October 20, 2013
Train crashes can be some of the most dangerous and deadly accidents. Individuals who work on train tracks are often at risk of suffering fatal injuries and have little or no time to escape dangerous situations. The Coral Gables motor vehicle accident attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona have over twenty years of experience helping people injured in motor vehicle accidents, including train accidents, recover compensation for their injuries. Jonathan Friedland and Michael Carmona are dedicated to helping victims of metrorail accidents pick up the pieces after tragedy like this strikes. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident, call (305) 661-2008 for your free consultation today.
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