NTSB: Train going too fast at curve before wreck in New York City

Monday, December 2, 2013

photo Cranes salvage today the last car from from a train derailment in the Bronx section of New York.

By FRANK ELTMAN

Associated Press

and JIM FITZGERALD

Associated Press

YONKERS, N.Y. - The National Transportation Safety Board says a train that derailed in New York City was traveling 82 mph as it approached a 30 mph zone.

The Metro-North Railroad commuter train jumped the tracks Sunday morning along a sharp curve where the speed limit drops from 70 mph to 30 mph. Four passengers died.

National Transportation Safety Board investigators today mined the train's data recorders, shedding light on such things as the train's speed and the use of its brakes. NTSB member Earl Weener says he's unaware of any problem with the train's brakes.

The investigators have also sought to question the engineer and conductor for clues. The rail employees union says engineer William Rockefeller was injured in the wreck and is cooperating with investigators.