Authorities are investigating the tragic death of a conductor from BNSF Railway, who was struck by a passing train in Montana on March 10, 2024. The incident occurred around 09:40 in Columbus, a small town approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Billings. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed the details through a post on the social media platform X.
Emergency response officials reported that the conductor was located between two trains at the time of the accident. According to Nick Jacobs, assistant chief of Columbus Fire Rescue, one train was stationary on one track while another was moving on a parallel track. “The moving one struck him somehow,” Jacobs stated, providing limited details about the circumstances leading up to the tragic event.
Officials from both the NTSB and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) were dispatched to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation. A spokesperson for BNSF Railway indicated that the company would defer to the NTSB for further questions regarding the incident. The identity of the deceased has not yet been disclosed.
The investigation comes in the wake of a 2023 report by the FRA, which highlighted BNSF’s ongoing efforts to enhance safety measures across its operations. While the report indicated improvements, it also noted that many front-line workers felt uncomfortable reporting safety concerns due to fears of disciplinary actions. This concern has been an ongoing issue within the industry, particularly following the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which prompted a review of safety protocols across major railroads.
As the investigation unfolds, the focus will remain on uncovering the details surrounding this tragic incident and ensuring the safety of rail operations moving forward.
