NS Conductor Killed in Freak Accident

 

Norfolk Southern trainee killed in Alabama accident (updated)

By | December 13, 2022

Victim was reportedly struck by object sent into locomotive cab

BESSEMER, Ala. — A Norfolk Southern conductor trainee was killed early this morning (Tuesday, Dec. 13) in what is being described as a freak accident, Al.com reports.

Bessemer police report they were called to the accident scene about 1 a.m. The trainee and conductor were on a train when it passed another NS train. One of the trains apparently struck an object on the tracks, sending a piece of metal through a locomotive window, where it struck the victim. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim was subsequently identified by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Officeas Walter James Griffin III, 43, of Hueytown, Ala.

WRBC-TV reports police and railroad investigators remain at the scene, and that the railroad released a statement saying ““Norfolk Southern is grieving the loss of a member of our team today. Our hearts go out to his loved ones during this extremely difficult time, and we are working to provide grief counsellors to his colleagues at our nearby facilities. An investigation is underway and company leadership is on-site to provide support.”