25 April 2007
Safety Questions are Asked While Funeral Plans are Made After CP Rail Crash
Rail cars rest on their sides after becoming derailed
near the Teck-Cominco lead-zinc smelter in Trail, B.C.,
Tuesday, 24 Apr 2007.
Trail British Columbia - Investigators are checking the
braking systems of every rail car and locomotive involved in the deadly CP Rail accident in Trail, B.C. earlier this week.
Dan Holbrook with the Transportation Safety Board says it's clear the train was running uncontrolled down the steep track Monday before
it crashed.
While faulty brakes are a possible cause, Holbrook points out there are operating procedures, checks and practices that need to be
stringently followed by the crew, especially in mountain territory.
Any grade over 1.8 percent is considered mountain grade and this spur-line grade was near four percent.
Lonnie Plasko, a 51-year-old CP Rail engineer, was killed in the crash, while two other crew members jumped to
safety.
CP Rail spokesman Mark Seland says the two crew members have been offered a criticial-stress debriefing and will be
interviewed to help determine the cause of Monday's crash.
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