by Donald Wood
Last updated: 9:50 AM ET, Wed January 17, 2024
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced it
has launched an investigation into the deaths of three people at the same Florida
railroad crossing where the high-speed Brightline train passes on its route
between Miami and Orlando.
According to The
Associated Press, three people died in two separate crashes along the U.S.
1 corridor in Melbourne, Florida, where the Brightline service runs daily. The
deceased include Lisa Ann Batchelder, 52; Michael Anthony Degasperi, 54; and Charles
Julian Phillips, 62.
Local police said one of the victims tried to outrun the train
in a SUV, but was struck and killed.
Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey said the area is working with
local authorities and Brightline officials to conduct a public safety campaign,
as the train travels at speeds up to 125 miles per hour in some locations.
The NTSB team spent several days in the area investigating
the safety of the crossing.
“I start by saying if the arm is down don’t go around,”
Mayor Alfrey said. “There’s no good outcome with a train. This is an
unfortunate situation. We have the loss of life again. There’s safety
precautions for a reason, and people need to adhere them.”
While the NTSB said its preliminary report will be released
within 30 days, the full report could take up to two years to complete. For now,
Brightline
has placed additional warning signs near crossings to warn of fast-moving
trains.
“Investigators will work to better understand the safety
issues at this crossing and will examine opportunities to prevent or mitigate
these crashes in the future,” NTSB spokeswoman Sarah Taylor Sulick told The AP.
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