Death Toll Reaches 8 In Amtrak Crash; Engineer Agrees To Interview
PHILADELPHIA (WJZ) — Eight lives lost when a train that had just stopped in Baltimore flew off the tracks in Philadelphia. WJZ has learned the train sped up before taking its fatal turn. All of the dead and the survivors are now accounted for.
Mike Hellgren with the latest from the NTSB.
The preliminary federal investigation shows no problems with the tracks, with the train or the signals. The NTSB has recovered new video that's allowing them to put together a timeline of the tragedy.
New surveillance video shows the explosive aftermath of Amtrak 188--one of the nation's deadliest derailments.
Federal investigators say a camera on board the train reveals the speed increased rapidly, and you can hear the engineer pull the emergency brake just seconds before it hits 106 miles per hour--the last recorded speed--more than double the limit.
"We can see the train tilting approximately ten degrees to the right, and then the recording went blank," said Robert Sumwalt, NTSB investigator.
"It started tipping over, and it felt to me like an airplane lifting off," said Jeff Kutler, passenger.
The engineer--Brandon Bostian--consented to an interview with the NTSB.
Philadelphia's mayor expressed frustration, claiming he wouldn't talk to police there, calling him reckless.
"I don't think that any common sense, rational person would think that it was OK to travel at that level of speed, knowing there was a pretty significant restriction," said Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.
"He remembers driving the train, he remembers going to that area generally… has absolutely no recollection of the incident or anything unusual," Bostian's attorney said.
With eight dead and more than 200 injured, Amtrak is bracing for costly lawsuits. The government has capped damaged at $200 million.
Already, one injured passenger has filed suit.
Amtrak's CEO promises to fully restore service by Monday.
"We certainly were concerned for our customers, our crew. It was a very difficult time," said Joseph Boardman, Amtrak CEO.
Amtrak is also planning to install new safety equipment--that could have prevented this crash--before the end of the year.
