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Tragic Scene Clears, Questions Remain
Tragic Scene Clears, Questions Remain 11/16/12
amelnick@cbs7.com
CBS 7 News
Novmember 16, 2012
MIDLAND- The tragic scene from yesterday’s devastation has cleared, but the question of how this could happen remains.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board arrived from Washington D.C. to begin a seven to ten day on-sight investigation.
NTSB Spokesman, Mark Rosekind, said investigators may be able to determine the sequence of events quickly because of a forward-facing cameras installed on the train as well as a recorder, which monitors the speed and brake usage on the train.
Investigators will even examine video inside the sheriff’s car, which was directly behind the float during the collision.
NTSB has not determined if the grade crossing warning system was functioning at the time of the accident.
There were 10 collisions between 1979 and 1997 at the crossing where Thursday’s incident occurred, but none involved fatalities.
The goal of the NTSB investigation is to find the probable cause, which will allow the board to issue safety recommendations so accidents like this will never happen again.