Railroad Accident Investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board has sent a team of investigators to investigate a rear end collision between two Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) trains. The collision occurred yesterday morning, April 17 at 7am (CDT) in Red Oak, Iowa.

Early information indicates that a BNSF freight train collided with a standing BNSF maintenance train. Two BNSF employees were fatally injured. Two locomotives and multiple cars derailed as a result of the accident.

Michael Flanigon is serving as the Investigator-in-Charge for the 7-member team from the NTSB. Further information will be released as it becomes available.

Event

• Collision of BNSF Coal Train With the Rear End of Standing BNSF Maintenance-of-Way Equipment Train

Press Releases

• NTSB Launches Team to Investigate Railroad Accident in Iowa (April 18, 2011)
• Fatigued Railroad Workers Led to Cause of 2011 Train Collision in Iowa, says NTSB (April 24, 2012)

Media Contact: Keith Holloway202-314-6100 (NTSB HQ)