MELROSE PARK, Ill. — The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the death of a Union Pacific railroader who was fatally injured in Proviso Yard over the weekend.
WFLD-TV reports that the worker has been identified by the Cook County coroner as 27-year-old Justin Pender.
“Preliminary information indicates on July 6, at approximately 1:59 a.m. CDT, a Union Pacific employee was fatally injured during shoving operations in Proviso Yard in Melrose Park, Ill.,” the NTSB said in a statement today.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, in a post on X, said railroads must do more to prevent yard worker fatalities.
Our hearts go out to the loved ones of this employee and so many others who have died on-the-job.
50% of our open rail investigations involve rail employee fatalities, and we know from the @USDOTFRA rail #safety database that train accidents in rail yards are going up. We need… https://t.co/y6HO02CUF0
— Jennifer Homendy (@JenniferHomendy) July 6, 2024
Parties to the investigation include Union Pacific, the Federal Railroad Administration, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and SMART-TD. The NTSB expects to issue a preliminary report in 30 days.
“We are saddened by the loss of a Union Pacific family member … and extend our deepest sympathies to his family and the employees who worked alongside him,” UP said in a statement.
No one else was injured in the incident, the railroad said.
— Updated July 10 at 7:20 a.m. with identification of victim.
