Report: UP train went through stop signal at Rockview

ROCKVIEW, Mo. -- The National Transportation Safety Board on Friday reported a Union Pacific train may have sped through a stop signal before it crashed into a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train in a derailment last month near Rockview.

According to the preliminary report, the UP train was traveling about 49 miles per hour when it struck the side of the BNSF train, which was traveling about 22 miles per hour. An initial review of event recorder data showed the BNSF train had a signal to proceed through the track intersection at Rockview, while the UP train had a stop signal, the NTSB report said.

Damage was estimated at $11 million.

Derailed cars from the collision also struck support columns of the Route M overpass, causing it to collapse. Two vehicles were on the overpass at the time and five occupants of those vehicles were taken to a hospital with injuries. The conductor and engineer of the UP train also were taken to a hospital with injuries.

A disclaimer on the NTSB report said the information is preliminary and is subject to changes and additions during the course of the ongoing investigation.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has estimated work on a new overpass will begin in July with a new bridge completed in early September. MoDOT engineers have estimated the cost of the new overpass will be about $3 million.

Pertinent address:

Rockview, Mo.