Deadly derailment in 2015 left 8 dead,
PHILADELPHIA -- The train crash that killed 8 and injured 200 a year ago was likely due to an engineer whose attention was briefly diverted by radio chatter shortly before the train derailed, according to philly.com and other published reports.
The National Transportation Safety Board investigation into the derailment of Train 188 in Philadelphia is likely to conclude Tuesday, according to sources and reports quoted by philly.com.
For survivor, effects of Amtrak crash still linger
The engineer, Brandon Bostian, may have been distracted by radio chatter minutes before the train left the tracks at a curve, another source said. The NTSB is recommending that Amtrak improve training for engineers and that the Federal Railroad Administration explore whether to expand the size of train crews, possibly from one engineer to two.
Shortly before the crash at Frankford Curve, rocks struck another Amtrak train as well as a SEPTA train, which was forced to stop because its windshield had been hit. Bostian told investigators about the messages he heard on the radio shortly before the crash.
"I was really concerned for the SEPTA engineer," he said. "I had a coworker in Oakland that had glass impact in his eye from hitting a tractor-trailer, and I know how terrible that is."
Bostian radioed the SEPTA train to alert that train's crew he was on the adjacent track, but Bostian never received a reply. Bostian said he was not overly concerned about the rock-throwing, reasoning that those responsible had probably already left, he told investigators.
Four miles from the SEPTA train, Train 188 derailed while traveling at 106 mph, more than twice the posted speed for that section of the track.
Alcohol, drug and cell phone use were all previously ruled out as factors in the crash.
Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.