SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 11, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — The Utah Transit Authority said Wednesday that excessive speed was the cause of a TRAX train derailment Sunday afternoon.
UTA spokesman Remi Barron said the male driver of the train left Central Pointe Station in South Salt Lake and approached a curve while going too fast. The posted limit is 15 mph and the train was traveling at 37 mph. The derailment happened at about 3:35 p.m. near 2100 South and 200 East.
Barron said it appears the driver made a mistake. He said the train was operating perfectly and there was no mechanical or system issue.
The driver, who has not been identified but who was described as experienced and had been an employee for “a while,” has been placed on administrative leave. Barron said the driver is entitled to a personnel review process. Once the review process is complete it will be decided whether the driver can return to work.
Officials estimate the cost of the accident was about $300,000, due to the cost of the train and the additional personnel needed to work through the night.
The South Salt Lake Police Department confirmed four people were injured in the accident, two of them seriously.
There were 14 passengers on the train when it derailed. Those who weren’t transported for medical treatment were assessed at the scene, then released.
