FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2015
CONTACT: Sue Walitsky/Marty Welch 202-224-4524
Cardin Statement on Amtrak Derailment
WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee issued the following the derailment of Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 188 on Tuesday night:
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost loved ones in last night’s derailment, as well as to those who were injured and jolted in this tragic incident. . I also want to thank the first responders for their immediate and overnight work to rescue so many who were in need of medical attention and care. Riding the Northeast Corridor is a routine trip for many Marylanders – one that should not cause riders to question if they will make it to their destination or home to their family.
“I have confidence that the National Transportation Safety Board will be conducting a meticulous investigation into the cause of the accident and I ask them to keep the public apprised of their progress. While the cause of this derailment will take time to determine, investments in safer cars and positive train control as well as maintaining and improving the curves of the track to handle higher speeds may have prevented an accident like this from happening, or minimized the extent of the damage and injuries. We cannot continue to put public safety in jeopardy by undercutting federal investments in our infrastructure. I urge the appropriators in the House of Representatives to pay close attention to this crash and use it as a strong foundation to reconsider their dangerous plan to slash funding for Amtrak and other critical infrastructure. Now is not the time to cut back on the resources that help make our rails, roads and bridges safer for all.”