NTSB blames crew fatigue for Arkansas train crash that killed 2

December 6, 2016 at 9:23 a.m. | Updated December 6, 2016 at 4:16 p.m.

by The Associated Press

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/MELISSA SUE GERRITS - 08/17/2014 - Workers respond to the aftermath of a 3am head on collision of 2 Union Pacific trains outside of Hoxie in Lawrence County August 17, 2014. 2 individuals were killed and 2 reported injured all believed to be among the crews onboard the freight trains. Due to toxic chemical cargo, some members of Hoxie were evacuated and directed to the Walnut Ridge community center. All highways leading into Hoxie were blocked by Arkansas State Police and local law enforcement personnel, directing individuals to Hwy. 91 East of Hoxie.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/MELISSA SUE GERRITS - 08/17/2014 - Workers respond to the aftermath of a 3am head on collision of 2 Union Pacific trains outside of Hoxie in Lawrence County August 17, 2014. 2 individuals were killed and 2 reported injured all believed to be among the crews onboard the freight trains. Due to toxic chemical cargo, some members of Hoxie were evacuated and directed to the Walnut Ridge community center. All highways leading into Hoxie were blocked by Arkansas State Police and local law enforcement personnel, directing individuals to Hwy. 91 East of Hoxie.

The National Transportation Safety Board is blaming crew fatigue for a 2014 train crash that killed two Union Pacific workers in Arkansas. They also cited an automatic horn that improperly reset alarms and the railroad industry's slow adoption of a system to stop trains automatically.

Investigators told the board Tuesday that the train's conductor had been working an irregular schedule while the engineer suffered from moderate sleep apnea. The railroad requires only that severe cases be disclosed.

The NTSB said an automatic horn incorrectly reset alarms designed to ensure crew members remained alert.

The board's vice chairman voted against the findings, saying the panel should have given more weight to the lack of GPS-based technology to monitor and control train movement.

Union Pacific said Tuesday that it cooperated fully with the board's investigation and that safety is its top priority. It also said it looked forward to examining the board's recommendations.

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