9 May 2006
Fatal Train Accident Report Due Today
Why did a Canadian Pacific Railway freight train derail at a Whitby bridge, dropping its load to the
road below, killing two women on 14 Jan 2004?
Why didn't CPR officials order the train, which was beset with problems on that cold January night, to stop sooner?
What safety changes will the Transportation Safety Board recommend to the country's national railways to ensure such accidents don't
happen again?
These questions asked by the Kellachan family will finally be answered today when the board releases its findings on the accident.
"We know its coming and its like re-opening an old wound," said Helen Halsall, whose sister and niece were killed
that night. "I've had a lot of tears over the last few days. I wake up every day thinking about them. Every single day.
"I think we're ready for it," Halsall added. "We've been waiting to find out what has been done, or what has been found.
In the long run, we know it won't bring the girls back."
Kathleen Kellachan, 36, and her niece, Christine Harrington, 19, of Keswick, were driving on Garden St., returning from a shopping trip
when Harrington's car passed under a railway overpass.
The CPR freight train passing overhead had a broken wheel that was slashing at the rail as it passed.
The train derailed, releasing 14 cargo containers, one of which fell from the bridge onto the car below.
Kellachan and Harrington were killed instantly.
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