“NTSB to Investigate Florida’s Brightline Train Crashes, Three Dead”

Accident – death – Obituary News : Brightline Train Crashes Prompt NTSB Investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has announced that it will be conducting an investigation into two recent crashes involving Florida’s Brightline train. These accidents, which occurred at the same railroad crossing along the U.S. 1 corridor in Melbourne, have resulted in the deaths of three individuals.

Since the launch of Brightline’s 160-mile extension that connects South Florida and Orlando in September, there have been a total of five fatalities, according to data compiled by the Associated Press. The crashes on Wednesday and Friday claimed the lives of Lisa Ann Batchelder, 52, and Michael Anthony Degasperi, 54, both residents of Melbourne. Additionally, Charles Julian Phillips, 62, lost his life in the Wednesday crash, while three passengers in his vehicle sustained injuries.

Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey, who visited the scene of the accidents, revealed that the SUV involved in Friday’s crash had attempted to outrun the train. He emphasized the importance of adhering to safety precautions and urged drivers not to go around railroad crossings when the arm is down. Mayor Alfrey also expressed his intention to work with Brightline officials to launch another public safety campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of disregarding railroad crossing signals.

Brightline trains, recognizable for their bright neon yellow color, are capable of reaching speeds of up to 125 mph (201 kph) in certain areas. The journey between Miami and Orlando, covering a distance of 235 miles (378 kilometers), takes approximately 3.5 hours, which is about 30 minutes less than the average drive.

The NTSB team arrived at the scene on Saturday and is expected to remain there for several days. Their primary objective is to investigate the safety issues surrounding the specific railroad crossing and explore ways to prevent or mitigate similar accidents in the future. Sarah Taylor Sulick, an NTSB spokesperson, stated that a preliminary report will be released within 30 days, with the final report expected to be issued within 12 to 24 months.

Brightline, when contacted for comment, did not respond immediately. However, the company has already taken measures to enhance safety awareness by installing warning signs near railroad crossings to alert drivers about the fast-moving trains.

Tragically, the three deaths in Melbourne this week add to the total of 108 fatalities since Brightline commenced operations in July 2017. An ongoing analysis conducted by the Associated Press since 2019 demonstrates that Brightline has the highest death rate among all railroads in the United States, with one fatality occurring approximately every 38,000 miles (61,000 kilometers) traveled. The next highest rate belongs to California’s Caltrain commuter line, which has experienced one death for every 125,000 miles (201,000 kilometers) traveled since 2017.

It is important to note that none of the previous deaths involving Brightline have been attributed to the railroad’s fault. Most incidents have been determined to be suicides, pedestrians attempting to cross the tracks ahead of the train, or drivers who have chosen to bypass crossing gates instead of waiting for the train to pass.

In conclusion, the NTSB investigation into the recent Brightline train crashes aims to improve safety measures at railroad crossings and prevent further accidents. The findings from this investigation will contribute to ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of both train passengers and motorists..