Connecticut Rail Accidents Focus of U.S. Hearings in October

Federal transportation officials have scheduled a two-day hearing as part of their investigation into two Metro-North Railroad accidents in Connecticut this year.

The National Transportation Safety Board announced on Tuesday that government agencies, unions and others will speak at the hearings set for Oct. 22 and 23.

Two commuter trains crashed on May 17, sending 60 people to the hospital. Five were critically injured.

Less than two weeks later, Robert Luden, a track foreman, was struck and killed by a train at the West Haven station under construction.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said the hearings will help publicize improvements to tracks, cars, equipment and steps to improve safety.

Metro-North announced in June it would install shunts on portions of the New Haven line to alert controllers and give approaching trains a stop signal.