U.S. NEWS
2 killed, 3 injured when freight train derails in small West Texas city after collision

BY JAMIE STENGLE AND JOSH FUNK
Updated 6:07 PM EST, December 19, 2024

Two Union Pacific employees were killed and three people were injured when a freight train collided with a tractor-trailer and derailed in a small West Texas city, authorities said Thursday.

The train derailed around 5 p.m. Wednesday in Pecos after the collision at a railway crossing, authorities said. Union Pacific, based in Omaha, Nebraska, said Thursday that two employees had been killed. Pecos Police Chief Lisa Tarango said the other injuries were minor.

Although hazardous materials were being carried aboard the train, none were released in the derailment, city officials said. The hazardous materials included lithium ion batteries and air bags. … Leaked diesel fuel was contained, officials said.

The National Transportation Safety Board sent a team to investigate. It said in a statement Thursday that it doesn’t determine or speculate about the cause during the on-scene phase of the investigation.

{snip}

Rail News Home Federal Legislation & Regulation 12/20/2024

NTSB investigating fatal train derailment in Texas

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a fatal Union Pacific Railroad train derailment that occurred Dec. 18 in Pecos, Texas.

The accident occurred when the UP train collided with a tractor-trailer stopped on the track at a grade crossing. As the train derailed, it crashed into the local Chamber of Commerce building. The train conductor and engineer both died as a result of their injuries, UP confirmed.

"We are saddened by the loss of two Union Pacific family members in Pecos, Texas, and extend our deepest sympathies to their families and the employees who worked alongside them. We are investigating as we cooperate with local first responders," UP officials said in a statement.

NTSB sent six investigators to the scene, the agency announced on social media.

{snip}