Railroad work is definitely among jobs at risk for injury; in fact, many consider it one of the most dangerous jobs in the nation. Connecticut railroad workers may relate to the devastation often caused to employees and families when railroad accidents occur. While Amtrak service is generally considered safe, the rail company has had its share of serious collisions over the years.

A recent tragedy occurred in the nation’s capital when two railroad workers disembarked a locomotive to check on a particular problem. They workers were then struck by an oncoming Amtrak train. The National Transportation Safety Board immediately launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the tragic situation.

Sadly, neither man survived his injuries. One of the workers was  a conductor, the other a trainee. The CSX workers had been told that there may be a problem with the wheels on their train, which is what prompted them to exit the train and investigate the matter near Washington D.C.’s Union Station. The particular location where the CSX train had stopped includes four track lines that come together.

The Amtrak train that struck the workers was carrying more than 120 passengers at the time. All of the passengers on the train escaped injury in the crash. Amtrak officials say the train was in the process of slowing down when the accident occurred.

Train service in the area was delayed for approximately 10 hours after the accident. It was then resumed with certain speed restrictions in the area. Families of workers killed in railroad accidents often have long roads ahead as they sift through painful details of their loved ones’ final moments and seek recovery for their losses. Many Connecticut residents turn to experienced attorneys for help in such circumstances, either under the Federal Employers Liability Act or through third party wrongful death litigation in civil court.

Source: The Washington Post, “Amtrak restores limited service after rail operators were fatally struck on D.C. tracks“, Dana Hedgpeth, Luz Lazo, June 28, 2017