Rail worker fatally crushed by moving train controlled by a remote control
A rail worker fatally crushed by a remote-controlled train has sparked calls for an investigation into the accident.
The worker died over the weekend after he was struck by a remote-controlled train in a CSX railyard in Walbridge, Ohio. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the death, which happened shortly before 4 am on Sunday in Walbridge, Spokesperson Keith Holloway said the worker was struck and fatally injured when he walked into the path of a moving locomotive that was being operated by remote control.
The Transportation Communications Union and Brotherhood of Railway Carmen said "enough was enough" in its call for an investigation into "the use and practices around remote-control locomotives". In a statement they said: "These tragedies are very painful reminders that the work our members perform is dangerous and unforgiving. My deepest condolences go out to the family and coworkers of BrotherAnderson, and our union stands ready to assist in any way possible".
TCU National President Artie Maratea said: "Our understanding is that this fatality was involving a remote-control locomotive. If so, this would mark the third Carman fatality involving remote-control locomotives. Railroading is a dangerous environment, and there's long been a culture of watching out for each other.
The worker died over the weekend after he was struck by a remote-controlled train in a CSX railyard in Walbridge, Ohio (AP)"But when head counts have been cut to the bone, who's left to watch your back? Enough is enough. A full-scale review of the use and practices around remote-control locomotives is long overdue. CSX - and every railroad - must evaluate their use of these supposed technological advancements to ensure they are actually making our members safer, and not merely replacing people to continue lining the pockets of Wall Street."
Maratea continued Local and National BRC Representatives are on site and are assisting CSX and the appropriate authorities in the ongoing investigation. “BRC members show up to work every day, work safely and expect to be able to return home to their families at the end of the day,” said BRC General President Don Grissom.
“This tragic loss reminds us that we must continue the fight to ensure that worker safety is a top priority. Myself and the entire BRC offer our deepest condolences to the family of Brother Anderson.” CSX is one of the nation’s largest railroads, operating trains in 23 Eastern states and two Canadian provinces.
The Federal Railroad Administration has approved the use of remote-controlled locomotives since 2005. They are primarily used inside railyards to help assemble trains. Typically, a railroad worker stationed on the ground near a train controls its movements with a remote, although sometimes that worker rides aboard the train while it is moving.
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