by Aubrey McKay
SALT LAKE CITY — On Monday morning, crews used two huge cranes to remove the TRAX train car that derailed Sunday afternoon in Salt Lake City.
The UTA passenger rail car, which weighs tens of thousands of pounds, came off the tracks near 200 W 2100 S and sent passengers inside flying around the train car.
According to passengers who spoke with FOX 13, it apparently happened because the conductor was going too fast. Some of those same passengers said they knew the accident was going to happen even before they felt the impact. Fortunately, only minor injuries were reported for three of the passengers.
In the meantime, UTA has initiated a bus bridge line in an effort to help commuters get around the derailment site. Once the train car was removed, crews began inspecting the track and the train. Officials said there are no apparent issues with the track, making it more likely that excessive speed was a factor in the crash.
UTA is investigating the cause of the derailment and the train conductor. The conductor was given an immediate and mandatory drug and alcohol screening yesterday afternoon. The results of that screening have not yet been released.
