DOT 134-08
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Contact:
Brian Turmail – (202) 841-9951
Steve Kulm – (202) 422-2331


Statement from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters Regarding Chatsworth, Calif., Train Crash

“On behalf of President Bush, my deepest sympathies go out to the families of those who were killed and injured in yesterday's tragic train accident. Just as our hearts and prayers are with those who suffered, our thanks and appreciation go to the first responders who worked tirelessly throughout the night to save lives.’

I have asked our Federal Railroad Administration to support the National Transportation Safety Board in its investigation to understand what caused this crash. In addition, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph H. Boardman has dispatched a team of nine federal rail safety experts to the scene as well as the agency’s second ranking official, Deputy Administrator Cliff Eby, to oversee our efforts on the ground.’

Our mission is clear: work aggressively to understand what happened and respond in a way that prevents another similar tragedy.”