NTSB: Boston trolley crash was preventable
Published: July 14, 2009
WASHINGTON—Federal investigators said a fatal trolley crash in Newton in May 2008 could have been prevented if an automated train control system had been in place.
Trolley operator Terrese Edmonds was killed when her train sped through a red stop signal and rammed another in a crash that also injured seven passengers on the MBTA’s Green Line.
Mark Rosenker, acting chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board said at a meeting in Washington on Tuesday that if such an automatic braking system had been implemented, “I don’t believe we’d be here discussing this.“
Other MBTA lines have such systems.
Investigators said Edmonds apparently ignored the signal, which was stuck in the stop position.
The probe found no illegal drugs or alcohol in Edmonds’ system.
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