“NTSB to Investigate Fatal Crashes at Florida’s Brightline Train Crossing”

Accident – death – Obituary News : Brightline Train Crashes Under Investigation Following Fatal Incidents in Melbourne, Florida

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced on Saturday that it will be conducting an investigation into two separate crashes involving Florida’s Brightline train. These tragic incidents occurred at the same railroad crossing on the train’s route between Miami and Orlando, resulting in the loss of three lives.

The crashes took place on Wednesday and Friday at a crossing along the U.S. 1 corridor in Melbourne, located on Florida’s Atlantic coast. Since Brightline introduced its 160-mile extension linking South Florida and Orlando in September, there have been a total of five fatalities reported, according to data from the Associated Press.

The most recent crash on Friday claimed the lives of Lisa Ann Batchelder, 52, and Michael Anthony Degasperi, 54, both residents of Melbourne. On Wednesday, Charles Julian Phillips, 62, was killed when the train collided with his vehicle. Additionally, three passengers in Phillips’ vehicle sustained injuries, as confirmed by the Melbourne police.

During a press conference at the scene, Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey shared that the SUV involved in Friday’s collision had attempted to outrun the train. He expressed his concerns and discussed the need for another public safety campaign, in collaboration with Brightline, to raise awareness among drivers about the dangers of crossing railroad tracks when the train is approaching at high speeds.

“I start by saying if the arm is down, don’t go around,” Alfrey emphasized in an interview with Orlando television station WKMG. “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 to them.”

Brightline trains, easily recognizable by their bright neon yellow color, can reach speeds of up to 125 mph (201 kph) in certain sections. The journey between Miami and Orlando, spanning 235 miles (378 kilometers), takes approximately 3.5 hours, which is around 30 minutes quicker than the average drive time.

A team from the NTSB is set to remain at the crash site for several days, commencing their investigation on Saturday. NTSB spokeswoman Sarah Taylor Sulick stated that their objective is to gain a better understanding of the safety issues pertaining to this particular crossing and explore potential measures to prevent or mitigate similar crashes in the future. Sulick mentioned that a preliminary report will be issued within 30 days, followed by a final report expected within 12 to 24 months.

Although Brightline has not yet responded to requests for comment, the company has already installed warning signs near crossings to alert drivers to the presence of fast-moving trains.

The three deaths in Melbourne this week bring the total number of fatalities associated with Brightline since its inception in July 2017 to at least 108. Based on an ongoing analysis conducted by the Associated Press since 2019, this equates to approximately one death for every 38,000 miles (61,000 kilometers) traveled, making it the railroad with the highest death rate among the country’s 800-plus railroads. California’s Caltrain commuter line comes in second, averaging one fatality for every 125,000 miles (201,000 kilometers) traveled during the same period among railroads that log at least 100,000 train-miles annually.

It is worth noting that none of the previous deaths associated with Brightline have been attributed to the railroad’s fault. The majority of incidents have involved suicides, pedestrians attempting to cross the tracks ahead of the train, or drivers who opted to bypass crossing gates instead of waiting.

In conclusion, the NTSB’s investigation into the recent crashes involving Brightline trains underscores the pressing need to address safety concerns at railroad crossings. Efforts to raise awareness among drivers about the risks associated with disregarding safety precautions are crucial in preventing similar accidents in the future. Brightline, along with local authorities and transportation agencies, will undoubtedly collaborate to implement effective measures that prioritize passenger and public safety.

By Freida Frisaro.