June 23 (UPI) — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues its investigation into the toxic train derailment that occurred in East Palestine, Ohio, in early February. Norfolk Southern operators and rail industry officials are testifying before the NTSB for a second day today.
This two-day hearing is focused on understanding the causes of the disaster and addressing various related issues. These issues include the preparedness of first responders, decision-making by company officials, ongoing cleanup efforts, and an examination of existing railway safety systems, among others.
Today’s session will begin with opening statements at 9 a.m. EDT, followed by witness statements regarding freight car wheel bearings and wayside defect detectors. Experts in the industry believe that these measures could have potentially prevented the accident from happening.
The hearing is being held at East Palestine High School and is being live-streamed on the NTSB’s YouTube channel.
Witnesses expected to testify include union leaders, Federal Railroad Administration officials, the Ohio National Guard, local fire and police departments, and representatives from Norfolk Southern.
The overall investigation into the accident is expected to continue until the summer of 2024. The NTSB will use the information gathered from the hearing to complete the investigation, determine the probable cause of the accident, and make recommendations to improve transportation safety.
“The communities most affected by this tragedy deserve as much insight as possible into our investigation, which is why we’re holding an investigative hearing in East Palestine,” said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. “Our agency is committed to carrying out our mission, not only to uncover what happened and why it happened but also to prevent such incidents from occurring again.”
In preliminary findings released yesterday, the NTSB panel highlighted that Norfolk Southern supervisors in Decatur, Ill. had dismissed an engineer’s safety concerns about the weight of the train prior to the derailment. This information resulted in 38 cars going off the tracks and 11 tankers rupturing, causing the release of toxic vinyl chloride. The spill posed threats to the air, soil, and drinking water in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Norfolk Southern has responded, stating that the Federal Railroad Administration never issued requirements for train configuration and that the company followed all internal protocols.
As part of their commitment to safety, Norfolk Southern is collaborating with labor leadership, seeking guidance from an outside safety consultant, and implementing additional safety measures.
The ongoing environmental monitoring and investigation of dioxin levels around the crash site will continue under the supervision of the Environmental Protection Agency. Norfolk Southern is also facing federal penalties and lawsuits for alleged violations of state and federal environmental laws.
Norfolk Southern operates in 22 eastern states.
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