Inspection Detail

Inspection: 116520495 - Weirton Steel Corporation

Inspection Information - Office: Charleston Area Office

Investigation Summary

Employee #1 was the conductor of a six-car train that was being pushed by Engine #309, bound for the #1 blast furnace on the cinderside lead track. He was riding on the fixed ladder of the lead hopper car, WSX #5024, when it ran over a wooden wheel chock on the track. The hopper car derailed and was pushed into stationary torpedo rail car #55 that was on an adjacent track 10 ft away. Employee #1 became pinned between the brake assembly box of the hopper car and the torpedo car. His left leg was amputated and his right leg sustained severe lacerations. The coroner listed the cause of death as multiple blunt force trauma. The train was traveling at 3 to 4 mph at the time of the accident.

Keywords: HOPPER CAR, AMPUTATED, RAILROAD CAR, STRUCK AGAINST, RIDING ON EQUIPMENT, CAUGHT BETWEEN, LACERATION, RAILROAD TRACK, HOUSEKEEPING, LEG