WASHINGTON (AP) – Federal accident investigators are set to release documents that could shed light on the cause of a fatal Amtrak train derailment in Philadelphia last year.
The National Transportation Safety Board has wrapped up the investigative phase into the crash that killed eight people and injured about 200 others. It is now releasing factual information gathered so far.
Next, investigators will analyze the evidence, prepare a report on the probable cause of the derailment and make safety recommendations.
It’s unclear why the train was traveling at about twice the posted speed limit of 50 mph when it entered Frankfort Junction. That’s one of the sharpest curves in Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington.
The train’s engineer hit his head in the crash and says he doesn’t recall what happened.