Train derailment
A broken rail caused a train derailment that collapsed Interstate 25 bridge over an interstate highway in Colorado, killing a truck driver, federal authorities said based on their preliminary investigation.
1958 steel bridge collapse
I-25 Segment closed for cleanup
A segment of I-25 spanning 9 miles and typically accommodating a daily traffic volume of 39,000 to 44,000 vehicles had to be closed temporarily. The closure was necessary for the removal of a significant amount of spilled coal and damaged railcars. Traffic was redirected around the derailment location, leading vehicles through Penrose, situated nearly 30 miles west of Pueblo.
NTSB to investigate the accident
The National Transportation Safety Board stated that they will conduct an inquiry into the cause of the broken rail and the reasons for the failure of warning systems to notify the crews about the track's condition. An agency representative mentioned that there was no evidence to suggest that sabotage caused the accident.
I-25 Repaving
On October 18, the southbound lanes of I-25 were undergoing repaving and were anticipated to become accessible later in the day. Efforts were also in progress to reopen the northbound lanes by the next day.
Governor Polis toured the damage
Colorado governor Jared Polis toured the damage near Pueblo with representatives with the National Transportation Safety Board. He offered condolences to family and friends of Lafollette Henderson, the 60-year-old truck driver from California, who is survived by six children and 15 grandchildren.
Governor prioritizes highway reopening
Colorado governor Jared Polis, “Our top priority is to get the highway back open so that people can continue traveling safely between Colorado Springs and Pueblo, and the rest of the state". "It remains clear that investments in rail are needed now more than ever," he added.
NTSB recommends enhanced track monitoring
The National Transportation Safety Board has advised railway companies to enhance their use of automated monitoring systems capable of early detection of track issues, thus mitigating the risk of accidents.
NTSB's ivestigative steps
It was unclear right away if the track where the Sunday's derailment happened had such automatic monitoring systems in place. NTSB spokesperson Sarah Taylor Sulick said, 'they will be pulling maintenance records. They'll be interviewing people involved. They'll be talking to the railroad. They'll be talking to the state'.
Automatic warning likely on BNSF route
Former NTSB investigator Russell Quimby suggested that an automatic warning system was probably installed in Colorado due to the accident's occurrence along one of BNSF's primary routes between Denver and Texas, where the railroad is based, and where there are many coal-burning power plants.
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