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Ohio train derailment was '100% preventable' as engineers were alerted about wheel bearing, claims NTSB

The crew tried to slow down after an overheated wheel bearing set off an alarm, but as many as 50 cars still ended up leaving the tracks

EAST PALESTINE, OHIO: According to a preliminary assessment issued on Thursday, February 23 by the National Transportation Safety Board, the crew of the train that derailed in Ohio earlier this month received a warning about technical problems and attempted to slow down before the tragedy.

Earlier this month, a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in eastern Ohio, bursting into flames and emitting a lethal plume of chemical smoke in the small town of East Palestine. According to reports, the cargo contained vinyl chloride, a dangerous chemical known to cause liver cancer and other illnesses.

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During a news conference examining the factors leading to the tragedy, NTSB representatives claimed that the Ohio train crash was "100%" preventable. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy shared their findings and conclusions with reporters in Washington, DC, at a press conference on Thursday, February 23. 

On February 3, engineers on board a Norfolk Southern Railway train received a warning that a wheel bearing was getting too hot and, at one point, was 253F hotter than the ambient air temperature. As a crew member applied the brakes, an automatic braking system was activated, but it was too late and many vehicles went off the tracks, as reported by the Independent.

What did NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy say?

She claimed that she had never witnessed an accident that "isn't preventable" and that there were always activities that could be taken to avoid these occurrences. Homendy stated that the organization will “determine whether we recommend something else to protect placards," such as changing the material used to produce the items.

The NTSB also disclosed that the elevated temperature of the wheel bearing did not set off defect detectors along the track until it was almost about to fail. The official stated that Norfolk Southern, a rail company, sets the allowable wheel bearing temperature criteria, but added that the agency will look into whether or not those rules needed to be adjusted.

The agency has examined the accident's cause and offered suggestions for averting similar catastrophes in the future in East Palestine. Among these is reportedly improved community outreach regarding the materials that trains are moving through towns.

According to Homendy, everyone "absolutely deserves to know whether they live or work near a hazmat route." She also advised that communities be aware of the materials being transported through their areas, who will respond in the event of an accident, and have plans in place for how they will react following one.

Railroads should collaborate with local governments to create response plans, the agency stated, and it is currently determining whether some products should even be transported through populated regions. Although it was too soon to say if Norfolk Southern was directly to blame for the incident, Homendy said it will be considered in the agency's investigation.

Why did the train derail?

Investigators discovered that the wheel bearing continued to heat up for a few miles before reaching a critical level that required a train to halt in order to avoid disaster—253F hotter than the atmospheric temperature, as per The Guardian. According to the report, when the train's engineer applied the brakes, the automated braking system engaged. But on February 3, close to the town of East Palestine, the train still derailed and caught fire.

An evacuation order and a state of emergency were declared in the Ohio town after 50 of the train's 149 cars derailed, with 11 of those cars carrying massive amounts of toxic chemicals. Despite assurances from state and federal officials that the area is largely safe, the town has been gripped by fears of toxic water and air.

'Guilty as sin!'

People were quick to respond on social media with one tweeting, "I think if the accident was preventable then there should have been measures to prevent it from happening but they didn’t and the fact that they corners and followed corporate rule instead of doing what they should have done for their workers and the community." Another suggested, "Republicans could do the right thing (if they really cared) for every train that passes through small towns around America. By passing a bill to increase safety standards for trains that carry hazardous chemicals. But they won't, all talk and no action." A third said, "Why ppl surprised, our own government have bridges and roads crumbling, instead they just give pay raises to them selves, just like these companies." "The railroads on strike the rails are horrible and big money and those who profit from are guilty as sin! Land grab for 15 minute city’s mark my words," commented a fourth. Another said, "Joe Biden goes to Ukraine write the check will have a billion dollars and doesn't even go see the people of Ohio he doesn't even know what he's doing when he was in Poland walking off the carpet he doesn't even know where he's at."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.