I just heard a quick quip on CNN about a rail worker that was killed to day in a derailment. I didn’t hear where it happened, but several cars derailed and an employee who was walking along the train was killed. It happened about 1:00 am this morning. Anyone know anything about it?
From the UTU website:
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A rail worker died Thursday morning after a freight train derailment in Springfield, according to the Associated Press.
Seven rail cars from a Union Pacific Railroad train went off the tracks just after 1 a.m. near an overpass on Sangamon Ave., Springfield police said.
One of the train crew was killed. His name was not released.
The derailment spilled grain from the rail cars and left two cars hanging over the edge of the overpass, forcing authorities to close the lanes below to traffic.
Springfield Police were trying to determine a cause for the derailment. A spokesman for Union Pacific Railroad did not immediately return a telephone call from The Associated Press.
(This item was distributed by the Associated Press Oct. 7, 2004)
October 7, 2004