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Brightline Train Crashes Under Investigation by National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has announced that it will be launching an investigation into two recent crashes involving Florida’s Brightline train. These incidents occurred at the same railroad crossing on the high-speed train’s route between Miami and Orlando, resulting in the tragic deaths of three individuals.

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 the extension of the Brightline train that connects South Florida and Orlando was launched in September, a total of five deaths have occurred at this crossing, according to data from the Associated Press.

In the most recent crash on Friday, the driver, Lisa Ann Batchelder, 52, and the passenger, Michael Anthony Degasperi, 54, both from Melbourne, lost their lives. On Wednesday, Charles Julian Phillips, 62, was killed when the train collided with the vehicle he was driving. Three passengers in Phillips’ vehicle sustained injuries, as reported by the Melbourne police.

Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey, who was present at the scene, stated that the SUV involved in the crash attempted to outrun the train. He expressed his concerns regarding the need for another public safety campaign to warn drivers about the dangers of bypassing railroad crossings when a 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 are safety precautions for a reason, and people need to adhere to them.”

The Brightline Train’s Speed and Convenience

The Brightline train, easily distinguishable by its bright neon yellow color, can reach speeds of up to 125 mph (201 kph) in certain areas. The journey between Miami and Orlando covers a distance of 235 miles (378 kilometers) and takes approximately 3.5 hours, which is about 30 minutes quicker than the average drive.

Concerning the investigation, the NTSB team is expected to remain at the scene for several days, starting from Saturday. NTSB spokeswoman Sarah Taylor Sulick stated that the investigators will thoroughly examine the safety issues at the crossing and explore potential measures to prevent or reduce similar crashes in the future. A preliminary report will be released within 30 days, with a final report following between 12 to 24 months.

Past Incidents and Safety Measures

Brightline, the company operating the train service, has not yet responded to requests for comment. However, the company has taken steps to enhance safety by installing warning signs near railroad crossings to alert drivers about the fast-moving trains.

Unfortunately, the three deaths in Melbourne this week bring the total number of fatalities since Brightline began operations in July 2017 to at least 108. According to an ongoing analysis by the Associated Press, this translates to roughly one death for every 38,000 miles (61,000 kilometers) traveled by the trains. This death rate is the highest among all of the nation’s 800-plus railroads. Comparatively, California’s Caltrain commuter line has the next-worst rate, averaging 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 classified as suicides, instances where pedestrians attempted to cross the tracks in front of an approaching train, or drivers who chose to bypass crossing gates rather than wait for the train to pass.

The NTSB investigation aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding these recent crashes and identify potential measures to improve safety at railroad crossings. With the collaboration of relevant authorities and the implementation of effective safety campaigns, it is hoped that future incidents can be minimized, ensuring the safety of both train passengers and drivers on the road.

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