NTSB MEETING TO LOOK AT CHICAGO TRANSIT RAIL ACCIDENTS AND FATAL ARKANSAS SCHOOL BUS COLLISION

The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public Board meeting on Wednesday, September 4, at 9:30 a.m., at the NTSB’s Board Room/Conference Center located at 426 L’Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, D.C.

Two items will be on the agenda:

Special Investigation Report - Within a 2-month period in 2001, the Chicago Transit Authority experienced two similar rear-end collisions involving rapid transit trains. The first accident occurred on June 17, when a train en route from downtown Chicago to O’Hare Airport, collided with a standing train near Addison Street Station. Injuries were minor; damages were estimated at $30,000. The second accident occurred on August 3, when a rush hour Brown Line train collided with a standing Purple Line train on elevated tracks near Hill Street. Over 100 people were treated for minor injuries; estimated damages were about $130,000. (NTSB Media Contact: Paul Schlamm).

Highway Accident Report - On May 31, 2001, a tractor semitrailer exited Interstate 540 near Mountainburg, Arkansas. The driver was unable to stop at the end of the ramp and the truck collided with a public school bus that was on State Highway 282. Three school bus passengers were killed and two others were seriously injured. Four passengers had minor injuries. Both drivers sustained minor injuries. Safety issues pursued in the investigation were the poor condition of the truck's brakes, inadequate motor carrier inspections and oversight, and occupant protection within school buses. (NTSB Media Contact: Ted Lopatkiewicz).

Directions to the NTSB Board room: Front door is located on Lower 10th Street, directly below L’Enfant Plaza. From Metro, exit L’Enfant Plaza station at 9th and D streets escalator, walk through shopping mall, at the CVS drug store take the escalator down one level. The Board Room will be to the left.