Panel to Probe Safety in Metrolink Accident

October 11, 2008

Chatsworth, Orange County – The Metrolink board has formed an 11-person panel of experts to look into the disastrous train crash last month and helped formulate policies regarding commuter rail safety and operating procedures.

The board said the panel, which is consists of experts and people from the industry and academia, is expected issue a report regarding the accident in 60 days. The panel will be headed by Peter Cannito, retired president of Metro North Railroad in New York, and Don Sepulveda of HNTB Corp., an international architecture, transportation and engineering company based in Kansas City, Missouri.

The panel’s report will be submitted to the board which is expected to execute changes as recommended. The board has also allocated $ 250, 000 for the study.

Federal accident investigators said the accident was caused by negligence as it was earlier reported that the Metrolink engineer did not heed a red light warning signal and that just before impact he was sending and receiving text messages on his cellphone. In About 25 people were killed and 135 injured in the accident.