TSB says derailed train began to move on its own
Posted February 5, 2019 8:18 am.
Last Updated February 5, 2019 6:46 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Investigators say a Canadian Pacific freight train was parked and began to move on its own before it derailed and killed three crew members on the Alberta-British Columbia boundary.
The Transportation Safety Board says the westbound train had been parked on a grade for two hours near Field, B.C., when the westbound train started rolling.
Carmichael describes how treacherous this terrain is. From Lake Louise to Golden it is very rough, though CP would be better poised to answer exactly what challenges are present pic.twitter.com/HkLwl6XRz6
— Tom Ross (@Tommy_Slick) February 5, 2019
The board says the crew had just boarded the train but weren’t yet ready to depart.
It says the train gained speed well in excess of the 32 km/h maximum for the tight turns in the mountain pass.
READ MORE: Three workers dead in B.C. train derailment
Some 99 cars carrying grain and two locomotives derailed at a curve ahead of a bridge.
The derailment claimed the lives of three workers who were living in Calgary: conductor Dylan Paradis, engineer Andrew Dockrell and trainee Daniel Waldenberger-Bulmer.
James Carmichael with the TSB started the afternoon by offering his condolences to the families of the three men who were killed.
The TSB investigation will now focus on why the loss of control took place. Carmichael pointed out that it’s too early to say what contributing factors were present during the crash and they are dealing with the most challenging railway territory in North America
Every other factors, from weather, to maintenance history will be examined before a conclusion can be offered. It is too early to say what the contributing factors are. Carmichael adds this is some of the most challenging railway territory in North America.
— Tom Ross (@Tommy_Slick) February 5, 2019
Electronic communications from the crew will be reviewed. Carmichael cannot say if CP was in regular contact with the crew while the train was parked
— Tom Ross (@Tommy_Slick) February 5, 2019
The union representing the workers, Teamsters Canada, said its focus now is on remembering the victims but is calling for change from the federal government on rail-related crashes.
It noted eight people have lost their lives in rail incidents within the past year.
WATCH: Three workers dead following CP rail derailment in B.C.
WATCH: Field in fear of more derailments
With files from The Canadian Press
