Probe on deadly train crash

US safety board to detail findings of a inquiry into 2015 crash that killed six

The National Transportation Safety Board is scheduled to meet and detail a probe into a 2015 crash between a commuter train and an SUV that killed six people in the New York suburbs, a day after a U.S. official told The Associated Press that investigators determined the crash was extra deadly because of an unusual rail design.

The NTSB is scheduled to meet in Washington, where a final report of the February 2015 crash is expected to be presented.

The Metro-North Railroad train crashed into an SUV on the tracks at a crossing in Valhalla, about 20 miles (32 kilometres) north of New York City. The impact sparked an explosion, and flames blasted into the passenger area, burning out the first car of the train.

The driver of the SUV and five people aboard the train were killed. More than a dozen others were injured.

NTSB investigators found that about 340 feet (100 metres) of electrified rail was pulled up from the ground, penetrated the SUV’s fuel tank and then sliced into the train, according to the official, who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity.

The rail was an under-running or under-riding design, in which a metal shoe slips underneath the electrified third rail, rather than skimming along the top. Questions were raised after the crash about whether the collision caused the shoe to pry up the third rail. Metro-North, which operates in New York and Connecticut, is believed to be the only U.S. commuter railroad with the under-riding rail configuration.

NTSB investigators also are recommending risk assessments be conducted for grade crossings, the official said.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates Metro-North, “will carefully review any safety recommendations” made by NTSB investigators, MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan said.