2008 Massachusetts train collision
| Newton, Massachusetts train collision | |
|---|---|
 Wreckage of Green Line car #3667 after the accident. | |
 | |
| Details | |
| Date | May 28, 2008 5:51 pm |
| Location | Newton, Massachusetts |
| Line | Green Line "D" Branch |
| Operator | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |
| Incident type | Collision |
| Cause | Micro-sleep episode caused by sleep apnea |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 2 |
| Deaths | 1 (operator of the rear train) |
| Injured | 14 |
| List of rail accidents in 2008 | |
The 2008 Massachusetts train collision occurred on May 28, 2008, shortly before 6pm, when two westbound MBTA trains collided on the Green Line "D" Branch between Woodland and Waban stations, behind 56 Dorset Road in Newton, Massachusetts.[1] An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) originally found the cause of the accident to be due to the operator texting while driving, but the NTSB later found that the operator of the rear train, Terrese Edmonds, had not been using her cell phone at the time of the crash, but rather went into an episode of micro-sleep, causing her to lose awareness of her surroundings and miss potential hazards up ahead. The collision killed Edmonds, and numerous others were injured.[1] Fourteen passengers were taken to area hospitals; one was airlifted.[2] This crash, along with another similar accident a year later, led the NTSB to set higher standards and regulations regarding the use of cell phones while operating a train.
Investigation
Initially, error was blamed for the crash.[3] Later, the crash was blamed on Edmonds, who allegedly was using a cell phone while operating the train. After the NTSB investigated the accident it was found that cell phone use and/or distraction was not the cause of the accident, but an episode of micro-sleep caused by sleep apnea was likely the reason for the operator losing awareness of her environment.[4] Edmonds was a relatively inexperienced operator who had tried for several years to get the job and was happy to have received it. The qualifications for the job included a high school diploma, a valid driver's license, a background check, and seven weeks of training.[5][failed verification]
Cell phone records indicated that Edmonds was not using her cell phone at the time of the incident.[4] NTSB investigators also found that the brakes had not been applied, and the tracks were not faulty.[6]
Aftermath
In 2009, the NTSB released its final report on the crash.[4] About a year later, another crash on the same route was blamed on an operator texting while driving.[7]
See also
Other similar accidents
- 2016 Hoboken train crash, where the engineer also has been diagnosed with sleep apnea afterwards
- Bourne End rail crash, similar accident in postwar Britain where a sleep-challenged engineer may have momentarily lost attention and taken the train into a curve too fast
- December 2013 Spuyten Duyvil derailment, sleep apnea diagnosed in engineer afterwards blamed for his inattention at time of accident
External links
References
- ^ a b Noah Bierman; Ralph Ranalli; James Vaznis (May 29, 2008). "Trolley operator dies after collision in Newton". Boston Globe. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
- ^ Marie Szaniszlo; Casey Ross (May 28, 2008). "Several hurt as 2 T trains collide in Newton". Boston Herald. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
- ^ "Driver Trapped in US Train Crash". Daily Express. May 29, 2008. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
- ^ a b c "Collision Between Two Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Green Line Trains, Newton, Massachusetts, May 28, 2008" (Document). National Transportation Safety Board. July 14, 2009. NTSB/RAR-09/02.
{{cite document}}: Unknown parameter|accessdate=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|format=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|url=ignored (help) - ^ http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008May29/0,4670,TrainWrecks,00.html Signals, cell phone focuses of Boston train crash
- ^ "Brakes not utilized in train crash, NTSB says". The Boston Globe. May 31, 2008. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
- ^ "Final analysis of '08 Green Line crash due Tuesday". The Boston Globe. July 13, 2009.