Three transients killed at CSX rail yard

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Three people were killed and two injured at the CSX rail yard in Mobile Tuesday, March 5.

First responders from Mobile were called out to the industrial accident just before 6 a.m. Tuesday morning. Authorities say a total of five people, who police said were transients, were sleeping in a railcar when the car moved and the cargo inside shifted, crushing three of the people under heavy steel beams.

A fourth person was hospitalized for a foot and leg injury and a fifth escaped with minor injuries.

“Apparently, it all happened really quickly as they were combining these cars and really as they combine. It’s quite an abrupt movement of them slamming together,” said Mobile Police spokesperson, Corporal Chris Levy.  

A spokesperson for the rail company said crews were conducting routine operations in the rail yard when the accident happened.

"We have our own police force; safety and security is our top priority at CSX. We are cooperating fully with the MPD investigation," said CSX spokesperson Carla Groleau.

Mobile police are working on identifying the three deceased persons and notifying kin but a crane had to be brought in to remove the heavy beams from the car, where the bodies were still trapped.

“Its pretty heavy still beams that shifted inside the car. They probably shift frequently this morning there happened to be people sleeping in there which made it impossible to escape,” Levy said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the young people, family and friends who were injured and lost their lives in this tragic accident," Groleau said.

Cpl. Chris Levy said police often have reports of thefts and other types of crimes involving train cars. He said the five people sleeping in the car were trespassing.

CSX Transportation will issue warrants for the two survivors for trespassing.

The investigation has been turned over to the Mobile Police Department and the Alabama Port Authority.