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2 workers found dead in Texas rail crash, 1 missing

By Amy R. Connolly
Two railroad workers were found dead and a third remains missing after a fiery head-on train collision in Panhandle, Texas, located outside Amarillo. Photo courtesy Texas A&M Forest Service/Facebook
Two railroad workers were found dead and a third remains missing after a fiery head-on train collision in Panhandle, Texas, located outside Amarillo. Photo courtesy Texas A&M Forest Service/Facebook

PANHANDLE, Texas, June 30 (UPI) -- Two railroad workers were found dead and a third remains missing after a fiery head-on train collision outside Amarillo, Texas.

BNSF Railway Co. said a fourth employee remains in stable condition in a local hospital. The missing worker is presumed dead. Company officials said the families of those involved in the crash have been notified but the company is not releasing their names.

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"The entire BNSF family is terribly saddened by this event and we extend our deepest sympathy and thoughts to the families and friends of the employees involved in this incident. This is an extremely difficult time and our entire organization grieves for the loss of our colleagues," said Carl Ice, president and chief executive officer.

The National Transportation Safety Board arrived Wednesday at the crash site to determine the cause of the head-on collision between two BNSF trains. They were traveling on the same track about 8:25 a.m. Tuesday with a combined 195 loads. It is unclear what they were hauling.

Senior investigator Richard Hipskind said digital records were on both trains and could be used to determine the cause, in addition to other types of data. The investigation could last up to five days.

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"Our mission is to understand not just what happened but why it happened and to make recommendations or changes to prevent it from happening again," Hipskind said.

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