NTSB to investigate fatality at BNSF rail yard in Southern California

Local emergency responders say two trains converged and crushed the worker

NTSB investigators will be looking into a Mar. 3 fatality at a BNSF rail yard. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has sent three investigators to determine what led to the early Wednesday morning death of a BNSF (NYSE: BRK) worker at the La Mirada rail yard near Los Angeles.

The employee was fatally injured during yard operations. BNSF is cooperating in the investigation.

According to Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), which received an emergency call at approximately 12:37 a.m. local time, one individual was trapped under a train. OCFA determined after arriving at the scene that two trains had converged and crushed the victim.

“The entire BNSF family is terribly saddened by this event and we extend our deepest sympathy and thoughts to the family and loved ones of the employee involved in this incident,” BNSF said.

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Joanna Marsh

Joanna is a Washington, DC-based writer covering the freight railroad industry. She has worked for Argus Media as a contributing reporter for Argus Rail Business and as a market reporter for Argus Coal Daily.