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NTSB ADVISORY ************************************************************ National Transportation Safety Board January 29, 2010 ************************************************************ UPDATE: NTSB CONTINUES INVESTIGATION INTO WMATA ACCIDENT IN ************************************************************ The National Transportation Safety Board provides the following update on its investigation into the January 26th Washington
Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) accident in rail vehicle, in the work zone on the Red Line that struck and killed
two employees on the track. * The two employees who died were working with
a third employee until the third employee's shift ended a few hours
before the accident. * WMATA rules governing the safety of employees
on the right-of- way, de-energizing the 3rd rail power and establishing
work zones is being reviewed by investigators. * Currently, twelve employees have been
interviewed: the four employees in the hi-rail vehicle at the time of the
accident, three control employees, and three track employees. An
additional three employees are scheduled to be interviewed today.
Interview information received from OCC personnel will be
reviewed and correlated with radio and telephone recordings. * All radio and telephone communication,
associated with this accident, is being compiled. * NTSB's Highway Vehicle Group is inspecting
the vehicle, reviewing maintenance records and performance
specifications from the vehicle manufacturer, and also developing a
speed estimate of the accident vehicle. * The sight distance test, which will include
evaluating visibility, is scheduled for next week. * WMATA's training guidelines, related to the
tasks being performed at the time of the accident, has been
requested. The Safety Board's investigation continues. ### NTSB Media Contact: Terry N. Williams williat@xxxxxxxx (202) 314-6100 ************************************************************ This message is delivered to you as a free service from the National Transportation Safety Board. You may unsubscribe at any time at http://www.ntsb.gov/registration/registration.htm An archive of press releases is available at http://www.ntsb.gov/pressrel/pressrel.htm Current job opportunities with the NTSB are listed at http://www.ntsb.gov/vacancies/listing.htm For questions/problems, contact pubinq@xxxxxxxx |