Rail News – NTSB opens case file for fatal CSX accident in 2023. For rail professionals

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) yesterday began investigating a fatal accident that occurred at a CSX rail depot in Walbridge, Ohio, in September 2023. The investigation is ongoing.

The files contain track inspection reports, track incident reports, transcripts of interviews with the engine supervisor, the conductor, the shunter, the dispatcher and the head of train operations, other records, statements and images.

On September 17, 2023, a conductor walked from a parked truck across several tracks to align and lock a switch in preparation for inspecting the rail cars. As he began to cross the main track to get to the switch, he was struck by two remote-controlled CSX locomotives traveling south at about 10 miles per hour.

The CSX mechanic crew involved in the accident consisted of two train drivers. Shortly before the accident, they parked a truck east of the main track and several switching tracks. Video from a switching surveillance camera showed the train driver, who later died, exiting through the driver's door of the truck and walking west toward the switch on switching track No. 5. His movement placed him on the main track and in the path of the locomotives.

The second driver, who was unaware of the accident, left the car through the passenger door and crossed the main track to set a blue signal on track 5. When the second driver returned to the car, he saw the first driver lying near the main track. The second driver then radioed that all train movements in the station should be stopped and assistance requested.