Norfolk Southern reported one of its train conductors died from injuries sustained early Tuesday morning during a railroad crossing collision in Cleveland.
Conductor Louis Shuster’s NS train was struck by a dump truck as it moved through a crossing at a facility operated by Cleveland-Cliffs Cleveland Works, according to the railroad. Shuster, 46, was from the nearby suburb of Broadview Heights, Ohio.
NS (NYSE: NSC) said it’s working with the Cleveland Police Department and Cleveland-Cliffs representatives to confirm details about the incident and has been in touch with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, the SMART Transportation Division union and Cleveland-Cliffs leadership.
Cleveland-Cliffs describes itself as the largest flat-rolled steel company in North America and a supplier of automotive-grade steel.
“Norfolk Southern has been in touch with the conductor’s family and will do all it can to support them and his colleagues,” NS said in a news release. “We are grieving the loss of a colleague today. Our hearts go out to his loved ones during this extremely difficult time.”
The fatality follows a string of recent, unrelated train accidents in Ohio, including the Feb. 3 derailment in East Palestine that has prompted calls to improve rail safety and another derailment over the weekend in Springfield. National Transportation Safety Board investigators are looking into both incidents.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen provided more information later Tuesday on Shuster, who was a member of that union: An Army veteran, Shuster served as president of BLET Division 607 in Cleveland. He was father to a 16-year-old son and a caregiver to his elderly parents.
“Lou was a passionate and dedicated union brother,” Pat Redmond, local chairman of BLET Division 607, said in a release. “He was always there for his coworkers. He was very active in helping veterans who worked on the railroad and veterans all across our community.”
BLET representatives will be investigating the incident alongside the NTSB, whose investigators will be traveling to the scene, according to a tweet.
“This was a tragic situation and it’s a devastating loss for the Shuster family as well as the members of this union,” BLET National President Eddie Hall said. “All railroad accidents are avoidable. This collision underscores the need for significant improvements in rail safety for both workers and the public.”
In response to Tuesday’s accident, NS President and CEO Alan Shaw shared his condolences, saying in a statement, “This is an awful day that leaves a hole in our company’s spirit. We have reached out to Lou’s family to offer our condolences. We will give them time to grieve, and we will be there with support for anything they need.”
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