News Summary: NTSB warns of oil train danger
News Summary: Investigators warn oil train crash could cause 'major loss of life;' urge safety
DIRE WARNING: Saying that a "major loss of life" could result from an accident involving the increasing use of trains to transport large amounts of crude oil, U.S. and Canadian accident investigators urged their governments Thursday to impose new safety rules.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS: The unusual joint recommendations by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada include better route planning for trains carrying hazardous materials to avoid populated and other sensitive areas.
MAJOR WRECKS: Last month an oil train derailed and exploded near Casselton, N.D., creating intense fires. In July, a runaway oil train derailed and exploded in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, near the U.S. border. Forty-seven people were killed and 30 buildings destroyed.
