During his emergency medical treatment after the accident, it was noted that he had some retrograde and anterograde amnesia and was diagnosed with an acute head injury, a left knee laceration, a forehead laceration, and a right knee sprain.[1] Postaccident evaluations by specialists indicated that he had a posttraumatic headache and a concussion resulting from the accident.
The conductor, 32, had been hired by Amtrak on August 14, 2009. The first assistant conductor, 38, was hired on October 14, 2011. The second assistant conductor, 34, was hired on May 7, 2014.
Toxicological tests for all four of the operating crewmembers were negative for all drugs tested pursuant to 49 CFR Part 219, Subpart C, Post-Accident Toxicological Testing.[2] In addition, the engineer was tested for more than 1,300 substances with negative results except for lidocaine, a local anesthetic administered during postaccident medical treatment.
Amtrak records indicated that the crewmembers had taken and successfully completed numerous railroad training courses. The courses covered various aspects of railroad operations. Some also included management oversight to ensure employees could properly apply and were in compliance with railroad rules, regulations, and instructions. Amtrak records also contained no disciplinary action for the crewmembers during the preceding year.
1.8 Survival Factors
1.8.1 The Derailment Sequence
A review of the locomotive forward-facing video showed that the locomotive traveled past—and did not strike—the first catenary support structure, N121. (See figure 6.) After the first passenger car derailed, it struck catenary support structure N121. This support structure completely separated from the remainder of the catenary structure, and the first passenger car was severely damaged, likely from the impact. The second catenary support structure, N122, was struck with enough force to separate it from the rest of the catenary structure and flatten it to the ground. Components of the first passenger car were found beginning at the second support structure N122. As a result of multiple impacts with catenary support structures and subsequent overturning, the structure of the first car was catastrophically compromised. Four of the eight passengers who died were recovered in or near this car.
- ↑ Amnesia is the inability to recall events. Anterograde amnesia is the inability to recall events preceding a traumatic event, often a blow to the head; retrograde amnesia is the inability to recall events just after the injury.
- ↑ The service employee who was working in the café car was not subject to the drug testing requirements.
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