Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Chicago train driver ‘dozed off,’ U.S. officials say

Stunning video appears to show the moment of impact captured on CCTV video.


By: Jason Keyser Associated Press
CHICAGO —Federal officials say the operator of a train that crashed into an escalator at O’Hare International Airport “dozed off” before the train entered the underground station.
National Transportation Safety Board investigator Ted Turpin says Wednesday that the operator woke up when the train jumped off the tracks and hit the escalator early Monday.
The woman also admitted she’d fallen asleep on the job in February, partially missing a station, he said. She has been a train operator for about 60 days.
A transit union leader said Monday it appears the “extremely tired” driver nodded off.
The NTSB is investigating the woman’s training, scheduling and disciplinary history.
NTSB investigator Terry Williams declined to comment to the Star on whether a 44-second video on YouTube is authentic CCTV footage of the moment of the crash.
A spokeswoman for the Chicago Transit Authority also declined to comment.
The footage, filmed from a TV monitor, was posted Tuesday night on YouTube, then vanished before being posted by a Spain-based channel that makes a living by grabbing and reposting newsworthy videos.

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