CLEVELAND — Police are investigating after a dump truck collided with a Norfolk Southern train in Cleveland early Tuesday morning.
The train was on the line that runs through the Cleveland Cliffs Cleveland Works property on West 3rd Street.
According to police, the dump truck owned by TMS International was driving with a full load of limestone when it approached a stop sign at the railroad tracks around 1:30 a.m.
Police said that after the truck stopped, it proceeded to drive forward and collided with the front left side of the first train car.
According to a spokesperson with Norfolk Southern, conductor Louis Shuster, 46, died as a result of the crash.
CEO of Norfolk Southern, Alan Shaw, shared the following statement:
"One of our well-respected colleagues, Louis Shuster, was fatally injured overnight in a tragic accident on the job. This is an awful day that leaves a hole in our company’s spirit."
"Moving forward, we are going to rebuild our safety culture from the ground up. We are going to invest more in safety. This is not who we are, it is not acceptable, and it will not continue."
Norfolk Southern released the following statement on the crash:
"Norfolk Southern has been in touch with the conductor’s family and will do all it can to support them and his colleagues. We are grieving the loss of a colleague today. Our hearts go out to his loved ones during this extremely difficult time.
"The company is working with the Cleveland Police Department and Cleveland-Cliffs representatives to confirm the details and learn everything possible about the incident. Further, the company has been in contact with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, SMART-TD union leadership, and Cleveland-Cliffs leadership."
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen shared the following in a news release regarding the loss of their colleague:
“Lou was a passionate and dedicated union brother,” said Pat Redmond, Local Chairman of BLET Division 607. “He was always there for his coworkers. He was very active in helping veterans who worked on the railroad and veterans all across our community.”
"He served the union as the president of BLET Division 607 in Cleveland. He was a father of a 16-year-old son and also a caregiver for his elderly parents. Shuster was an Army veteran."
OSHA released the following statement:
“OSHA is investigating, and we express our condolences to the victim’s family. We continue to work closely with the Federal Railroad Administration in our ongoing inspection.”
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