An accident occurred near Pueblo, Colorado, when a coal train derailment caused a railroad bridge to collapse over Interstate 25 on Sunday afternoon, October 15, 2023. The aftermath of the incident saw the loss of life for a 60-year-old semi-truck driver from California, who was caught under the fallen bridge, coal, and railroad cars.
The derailment involved roughly 30 cars of the coal train. Notably, none of the train staff were harmed. Investigations into the incident are in progress, and at this time, details regarding any other vehicles that might have been involved or the causes of the derailment remain unclear.
Responsibility for the inquiry has been given to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is delving into the specifics of the accident.
Based on preliminary assessments, there’s an indication that the train’s collision with the bridge could have led to a shift in the bridge’s foundational beams, which may have caused its collapse.
The bridge’s fall led to a transportation halt on the affected section of Interstate 25, which covers around nine miles. The exact date of when this stretch of the interstate will be open to the public again remains uncertain, as efforts are underway to clear the debris and ascertain the safety of the road.
Ownership of the bridge is currently a topic of discussion. The Colorado Department of Transportation has stated that the bridge is the property of BNSF Railway. However, BNSF has countered this claim, asserting that the bridge belongs to the state.
With the ongoing investigations, members of the local community eagerly await both a solution to their transportation issues and a clear understanding of the accident’s cause.
