NTSB releases final report on El Paso deadly train derailment

NTSB releases final report on El Paso deadly train derailment

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently published its final report on a deadly Union Pacific train derailment in El Paso’s Lower Valley which happened back in 2022.

EPPD identifies victim of the train derailment incident

As we have previously reported, Mario Aurelio Navarro, 49, who was the conductor of the Union Pacific train on Monday night, Aug. 29, 2022, died after the train derailed while entering the Alfalfa yard.

The NTSB’s report outlines that a major communication breakdown led to the fatal derailment.

The final report also states a derailment device was installed on the line ahead of maintenance on the train track that Monday.

When maintenance was delayed and was expected to last through 6 p.m., the information was not relayed back to Navarro before permitting him to enter the train yard, according to the final report.

The official probable cause was listed as the “failure of personnel to contact the employee in charge before granting train ISIEO 29 permission to enter the yard lead track.”

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