A Union Pacific train that derailed following a collision in Pecos, Texas, on Wednesday left two people dead and three others injured.
Pecos City Manager Charles Lino described how the incident unfolded – it began with a train colliding with a tractor-trailer that was stationary on the railroad tracks one Wednesday evening. The impact not only caused the train to derail but also led to it striking the Chamber of Commerce building in the area.
The victims of this tragic accident were later identified as Clay Burt and Phillip Araujo, both employees of Union Pacific, as confirmed by the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation workers (SMART-TD).
“This tragic event is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by railroad workers on a daily basis, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety measures within the industry,” the union emphasized following the incident.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said in a statement that his team is staying updated on the deadly train derailment and looking into how such incidents can be prevented.
“My state team and I are tracking the the(sic) ongoing developments surrounding the train derailment in Pecos, Texas. We are coordinating with the NTSB and local law enforcement to investigate how this deadly incident occurred and how we can prevent accidents like this in the future,” Cruz wrote on X.
The train derailed after hitting a tractor-trailer on the railroad tracks, causing it to strike the city’s Chamber of Commerce building. (Video: Irma Lozano La Morena via Storyful / Screenshot)
SMART-TD said it is assisting the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in its investigation.
“Rail workers do vital work, often at great personal risk. As we mourn this loss, we also renew our commitment to fighting for stronger safety measures that will serve to better protect all those who work on and live near the rails,” SMART-TD said.
