Federal investigators are sorting through a mound of evidence from the fatal transit train crash in Hoboken. The train crash killed a 34-year-old woman and injured more than 100 other people. Severe damage to the terminal was also a result of the train crash. Investigators are working hard to determine why the train sped off its track and plummeted into the end of the terminal. The damage from the train’s impact caused part of the terminal’s roof to collapse. Pictures and videos on the news and social media show a wreckage of steel beams, electrical wires, and major debris.
Investigators say the process to determine what caused the New Jersey Transit commuter train accident will be challenging. The front train sustained catastrophic damages due to the impact and has prevented investigators from gaining access. A spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board said the destruction is extensive and is causing great difficulties for personnel during Friday’s investigation. Machinery has been brought into the terminal to clear away debris and make the surrounding structure more stable. Another danger for investigators is the presence of asbestos. The Hoboken terminal and building is 109-years-old, according to a spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board.
Among the evidence recovered is the event recorder located in the rear of the train. Federal officials say the recorder is an important piece of evidence and can tell how fast the train was traveling. The investigation could take months. The safety board will review the train’s maintenance, the engineer’s actions, and the railroad tracks and signals. Investigators will interview the train’s three crew members including the engineer, conductor, and a brakeman.
If you’ve been injured in a train accident, please call a trusted personal injury attorney at Meyerkord & Kurth, LLC.