NTSB Advisory
National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594
September 1, 1999

NTSB TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON BOURBONNAIS TRAIN ACCIDENT

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct a public hearing at 9:00 a.m. on September 13-15, 1999 on the fatal grade crossing accident in Bourbonnais, Illinois that occurred earlier this year. The three-day event will be held in Chicago, Illinois at the Ambassador West Hotel at 1300 North State Parkway. George Black, NTSB Board Member, will chair the hearing.

George W. Black, Jr., P.E., became a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board in 1996. A graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Mr. Black is the first practicing highway engineer to be a Board Member.

Mr. Black is the former Director of Transportation for Gwinnett County, Georgia, in the Atlanta metropolitan area. During his 24-year tenure with Gwinnett County, he helped found the County Police Department's fatal accident investigation unit, and assisted in the investigation of 2,000 fatal or critical-injury traffic crashes and rail-highway grade crossing incidents. He also taught accident investigation and reconstruction in the County and State Police Academies.

NTSB's hearings, which are fact-gathering sessions, are designed to clarify accident information and to air, in a public forum, significant new issues. During the hearing, the Board will gather information to assist in the development of a probable cause and recommendations, if necessary, to enhance grade crossing safety throughout the country.

A mult box will be provided for electronic media. Television crew should be prepared to provide their own lighting. Media registration will take place the morning of the hearing or by contacting the NTSB's Office of Public Affairs prior to the hearing.

Media Contact: Terry N. Williams, 202-314-6100