Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

NTSB Looks at Signal Failure as Cause of Train Crash

Aired April 24, 2002 - 09:33   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: We are going to change our focus a little bit to what is going on in Southern California. The cleanup continues after that deadly commuter train crash in Southern California. Investigators are trying to figure out what caused the rush hour collision yesterday that left two passengers dead, more than 260 injured, and CNN's Thelma Gutierrez joins us now from Los Angeles.

Good morning, Thelma.

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.

As you had said, cleanup crews worked all through the night. In fact, the tracks are now open. Just a few moments ago, we saw a freight train pass by. Passenger trains, however, will not be taking this route this morning. We're told that the buses will be rolling for commuters instead.

Now, the Burlington Northern freight train you can see right behind me was involved in yesterday's collision. It was moved out of here. But last night, Metrolink train was moved off the tracks. It is covered in the black plastic you see right behind me. However, it was lifted off the tracks.

Now the devastating collision happened yesterday morning as commuters were heading to work. The Metrolink commuter train collided head on with a mile-long freight train. Two passengers were killed, at least 260 people injured. Officials say 162 people were treated at local hospitals. The triage area was set up out here to treat the wounded.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was reading the newspaper, and I had my legs crossed, and the next thing I know, I thought we were coming to a stop because the train slowed down, and then the next thing I know is -- everything was in slow motion. My nose hit the front -- the front chair, and I just fell to my left, and I just started rolling around all over the place. And I just -- all I could hear was just everybody screaming and yelling and my nose was broken, obviously, and it was just blood streaming out, and it was just terrible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GUTIERREZ: This was the worst accident in the history of the Metrolink. At the time of the accident, the commuter train was at a stand still when it was struck by the Burlington Northern train. The commuter train was struck before it could divert to another track. NTSB investigators say emergency brakes were applied 2,100 feet before impact, but after impact, the force pushed the Metrolink train some 370 feet down the tracks.

Now, one of the factors, Paula, that the NTSB will be looking at is whether or not the railroad crossing lights, the red lights, were actually functioning properly, but they say it could take months before they figure out exactly what caused this terrible accident.

Paula, back to you.

ZAHN: All right. Thelma Gutierrez, thank you for that late report.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com