PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD RAIL ACCIDENT CLOSE OUT FORM ******************************************************************************* 1. CASE NUMBER: 9343 2. PROPERTY NAME: MTA–Long Island Rail Road 3. CRITERIA CODE: CX 4. ACCIDENT DATE: April 29, 2007 (CHOICES CX-EV-PF) 5. LINE NAME: Main Line Branch 6. LOCATION: Fifth Avenue, Brentwood 7. NO. OF INJURIES: 1 8. NO. OF FATALITIES: 0 9. ACCIDENT CODE: 52 (CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING) 40-Track Maintenance. Deficiency 45-Human Failure-Improper Procedure 50-Fell From Train 41-Track Component Deficiency 46-Material On Track 51-Ignored Warning Devices 42-Equipment Maintenance.Defincency 47-Inconclusive 52-Unsafe Action 43-Equipment Component Def. 48-Loss Of Power 53-Mech. Failure/Other Vehicle 44-Human Factor/Equipment Operator 49-Fire or smoke 55-Drag Related 56-Non-Passenger Fatality 10. PROBABLE CAUSE: On Sunday, April 29, 2007, at 10:29 p.m., eastbound train #8068 struck and injured a pedestrian standing close to the tracks on the Fifth Avenue grade crossing in Brentwood, New York. The injured pedestrian, who had just purchased some beer from the nearby convenience mart, was transported to South Side Hospital by Brentwood Ambulance (FD) where he was admitted in stable condition for blunt trauma injuries to the head. Fifth Avenue grade crossing, approximately three quarters of a mile west of Brentwood Station on the LIRR’s Main Line, has warning devices consisting of highway and pedestrian gates, bells and post-mounted flashing lights. The roadway crosses two electrified tracks that run straight and level in the east-west direction. The maximum allowable speed for passenger trains in this area is 80 mph. Train #8068 originated in Penn Station bound for Ronkonkoma Station. The crew performed a pre- trip brake test and found the brakes to be in good operating condition. The engineer, operating from the lead car of the ten car train, had just made a normal station stop at Deer Park Station prior to approaching the Fifth Avenue crossing at an estimated speed of 45 mph with the train’s horn sounding when he observed a pedestrian standing inside of the southwest corner pedestrian crossing gate with his back to the train. The engineer immediately placed the train’s brakes into emergency, while continuing to sound the horn; but was unable to stop before striking the pedestrian. The train, with approximately 225 passengers on board, came to a stop blocking the crossing Post accident testing of the grade crossing warning devices conducted by Long Island Rail Road Signal Department personnel on the evening of the accident revealed that all warning devices were operating as intended at the time of the accident. The passengers on train #8068 waited on board the train for a little over an hour until the MTA Police released it at 11:46 p.m. The weather conditions were clear and cool; with the temperature around 53 degrees. PTSB does not believe weather to be a contributing cause to this accident. 1 The Public Transportation Safety Board staff finds that the most probable cause of this accident was unsafe actions of the pedestrian who walked around the lowered pedestrian crossing gates at the Fifth Avenue grade crossing and stood too close to the approaching train; resulting in his being struck about the upper body. Based on information contained in this report, the Public Transportation Safety Board staff makes no recommendations at this time. 11. DID THE PROPERTY CONTRIBUTE TO THIS ACCIDENT? No 12. ARE THERE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE MADE? No INVESTIGATOR: Robert Maraldo DATE: June 20, 2007 SUBMITTAL The above case has been thoroughly investigated and meets all the conditions identified in PTSB Resolution #1220 and does not require a written full board report. DATE: June 25, 2007 Jerry Shook, Director Rail Safety Bureau 2.