Blog Post

Human Errors caused Fatal Train Crash


March 20, 2008
Topic: Train Accidents

A train dispatcher who was too busy elsewhere to provide signaling, a crew that didn't see it fit to use a signal device on the track to warn trains, and an engineer who was flying high on marijuana - these are apparently the sort of "human errors" that caused the death of two workers during the collision of a company train and a maintenance truck in Woburn, Massachusetts last year.

According to a report by the National Transportation Safety Board, these costly human errors were responsible for the crash. The accident occurred on January 9, 2007, the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority train 322 was traveling southbound, when an engineer received the all clear as he passed a curve in the tracks. The speed of the train at that point in time was 62 miles per hour. Right ahead was a track maintenance vehicle. The engineer apparently slammed on the brakes and managed to reduce the speed somewhat, but the train crashed into the vehicle at 44 miles an hour.

The engineer, James Zipps, and a maintenance worker, Christopher Macaulay, who were inside the truck died. Two other maintenance workers, John Hickey and Edwin Olsen, were injured seriously. Blood tests later revealed that Zipps had been under the influence of marijuana.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which conducted an investigation into the accident, had revealed a number of mistakes that occurred though out the process. Almost all these mistakes were overwhelming in the amount of negligence they showed, and we have the foresight of the train driver to thank that the number of casualties was not greater. At least 10 passengers were injured, however.

According to police and emergency workers, who first arrived at the scene after the crash, it resembled a war zone. There was wreckage lying all around and helicopters flying overhead. The passengers on the train and the maintenance workers who survived had their good fortune to thank that their injuries were not life-threatening. In all there were 43 passengers on the train.

The workers had reportedly been working on the track since about 9:45 am that day. Other trains that were scheduled to pass through the area had all been diverted onto other tracks. At the time of the crash, it was matter of amazement as to why the train was allowed to remain on track. Now we know the reason. There was negligence on all levels.

The track dispatcher had removed the block on the track segment where it had been placed to warn incoming trains. This cleared the way for the train to rush right into the track segment. There was also a shunting device that's to ensure that signals remain red, no matter whether the dispatcher performed his duty. Surprisingly, even this was not followed according to procedure. Then we have the frightening instance of a track maintenance engineer being under the influence of drugs while on duty. There was obviously more than a little clouding of judgment in his case.

If these are the kinds of maintenance and safety standards being practiced, we need to be very concerned about the safety of passengers on commuter trains.

If you have been injured in a train accident, you need the help of an experienced California personal injury lawyer. Contact an attorney at The Reeves Law Group for a free consultation.


The California personal injury attorneys at The Reeves Law Group represent victims of accidents, injuries and wrongful death throughout California from our offices in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Ventura County, Fresno County, Kern County, Sacramento County, San Fernando Valley, Long Beach, Antelope Valley, Torrance, Glendale, Bakersfield, Santa Ana, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Ontario, and Victorville.