Metro-North Derailment Could Have Been Avoided By Screening, Say Officials

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- The Metro-North derailment in the Bronx last December could have been prevented if Metro-North Railroad properly screened employees for sleep disorders, the National Transportation Safety Board announced on Wednesday, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

The Metro North derailment may have been prevented through sleep apnea screenings.
Photo Credit: *File*

by Alesha Hanson

11/20/2014 1:30 p.m.

The National Transportation Safety Board further said that the train operator's undiagnosed sleep apnea may have been discovered before it led to the accident that killed four and injured 61 passengers, according to the report.

The final report released by the safety board Wednesday found that the lack of screening was among the issues highlighted following investigations into the incident, the report said.

Since the incident, MTA has taken steps to prevent future accidents including third-party medical testing and evaluation services focusing on sleep disorders for train operators, according to the report.

To read the full report, click here.

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