Railway CEO: Employee Failed To Set Brakes In Quebec Crash

The downtown core lays in ruins as fire fighters continue to water smoldering rubble Sunday, July 7, 2013 in Lac Megantic, Quebec after a train derailed ignited tanker cars carrying crude oil.
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LAC-MEGANTIC, Quebec (AP) — The president and CEO of the railway’s parent company says an employee failed to properly set the brakes of the train that crashed into a town in Quebec, killing at least 15 people.

Edward Burkhardt made the comments during a visit Wednesday to the town that was devastated by the runaway oil train four days ago.

“It was questionable whether hand brakes were put I place at this time,” Burkhardt said. “I don’t think any employees removed brakes. They failed to set the brakes.”

He said a train engineer has been suspended without pay.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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