Amtrak train derailment of 15th May, 2015

Something in a BBC news report on this derailment caught my eye – the statement made to the media by Amtrak management:

Amtrak boss Joseph Boardman said on Thursday that the agency’s goal is to “fully understand what happened and how we can prevent a similar tragedy from happening in the future”.

(BBC News 16th May, 2015: Crashed Amtrak train ‘may have been struck by object’)

What a welcome change from the normal “we are looking for the cause” and particularly stating a sensible objective.  Well done!

This can be compared with the statements of the operating company’s management following the Lac Megantic (Canada) derailment  of 6th July, 2013, when management were quick to blame one of the workers attending the train on that night.

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