A broken rail likely caused 30 Burlington North Santa Fe Railway train cars to derail on October 15, and that preceded the collapse of a bridge over Interstate 25, just north of Pueblo, Colorado.
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That’s according to a preliminary statement from the National Transportation Safety Board, the federal agency charged with determining what happened and why.
Thirty of the 104 rail cars tumbled off the tracks over the interstate Sunday afternoon, crushing a semi-truck and spilling coal all over the roadway.
The train derailed just before 3:30 p.m. as it was crossing I-25 on an overpass 4 miles north of Pueblo, officials said.
A semi-truck was crushed in the accident, killing the driver. No injuries were reported for the train crew.
“I am saddened that a life was lost in this train derailment and send my condolences to his family and loved ones," Governor Jared Polis, who is scheduled to visit the crash site Wednesday morning, said in a statement. "Our immediate priority is safely getting the highway open both ways."
The Pueblo County Coroner's office has identified the truck driver as Lafollette Henderson, 60, of Compton, CA. He is survived by six children and 15 grandchildren, said his daughter, Endaya Jenel.
Governor Polis announced that the closed section of southbound is being re-paved and is expected to re-open this afternoon. CDOT is working to re-open northbound I-25 no later than tomorrow evening and if necessary CDOT may open a single lane prior to re-opening the entire road.
Motorists should expect a rough driving surface as the damaged roadway will be milled. There will be slightly reduced speed limits temporarily through the stretch to ensure the safety of drivers.
Governor Polis toured the damage with the National Transportation Safety Board alongside local legislators, county leaders, staff from the state’s federal delegation, and Mayor Gradisar of Pueblo.
The preliminary investigation has revealed that a broken rail just east of the bridge over I-25 likely caused the coal train to derail and the bridge to collapse.
“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,†said Governor Polis.
“Though the investigation is still ongoing, it remains clear that investments in rail are needed now more than ever and Colorado has been working for months to take advantage of historic safety and rail funding from the federal government.†■