FELA Lawsuit

Two trains collided at approximately 10:00 a.m. Monday December 17, 2007 in Sedgwick County, Kansas. Rescue workers transported the engineer to Via Christi Regional Medical Center-St. Francis, where she is reported to be in critical condition. The conductor was taken to Wesley Medical Center and is reportedly in fair condition.

According to a Kansas Highway Patrol dispatcher, the accident was originally reported as a head on collision between two trains. It was later determined by authorities on the scene that the southbound train was in the process of switching from one track to another when the northbound train crashed into it. “The northbound train failed to yield and collided with the side of the other train,” said Mulvane Public Safety Fire Captain Lowell Ester. One locomotive and six rail cars were derailed in the accident. “The engineer wasn’t actually held by the wreckage, but the cab was destroyed so badly it was hard getting her out.”

BNSF Railroad is investigating the cause of the accident. According to Ester, the accident could have been a lot worse. “Nobody was killed and no toxic matter was released. It could happen any time around here.”