Calgary Transit has concluded the initial phase of its investigation into the September 20 derailment of a CTrain and determined the train’s operator was likely responsible for the crash.
“We’ve confirmed the infrastructure and the train was working as designed and that the derailment was caused by the operation of the train by the operator,” said Calgary Transit director Doug Morgan. “The operator made the decision.”
On the morning of September 20, the CTrain stopped at the Tuscany LRT station, the final stop along the northwest leg of the Red Line. The operator continued along the tail tracks before leaving the rails and crashing into a post.
“At that point in the infrastructure, the operator gets out of the train and moves to the inbound side and will continue his trip back in,” explained Morgan. “Unfortunately that didn’t happen in this instance and the train travelled through the tail tracks.”
The three passengers on the train were assessed by paramedics at the scene but did not require additional medical treatment.
The CTrain operator, a woman in her early 60s, was transported by ambulance to hospital in serious condition with non-life threatening injuries.
“The operator was injured and we can report they are out of hospital and recovering at home,” said Morgan. “Our thoughts are with the operator and their family.”
Calgary Transit has not conducted a comprehensive interview with the driver, who is currently on paid leave, in order to allow her ample time for recovery. “We had of course checked on the operator to make sure they were okay,” adds Morgan. “We’ve had an initial report from the operator but no extensive investigation.”
“The operator does not remember the incident. We’re not sure if it was the trauma of the crash. As they recover, we’re hoping more information will come forward”
Morgan says Calgary Transit is reviewing all aspect of operations at the LRT station and will make any necessary improvements.
“We have skilled operators that we do extensive training with to ensure this doesn’t happen but in this case there was an error by the operator that caused the accident,” said Morgan. “The train has controls that if there is ever an incident where a person passes out or has a seizure that the train would stop in emergency braking right away. It can’t coast on its own. It needs to be actively controlled by the operator.”
“We do rely on our operators. They’re a key part of that safety system. They do an excellent job day in and day out. This incident is very rare.”
Calgary Transit continues to investigate the incident and Morgan declined to comment on the driver’s future with the organization.
“We’ll be looking at all the evidence in the case and making decisions based upon that.”
