Amtrak engineer sped before crash
An Amtrak train was going about 25 mph over the speed limit moments before it hit a stationary freight train on the city’s South Side, injuring dozens of people, federal officials said Sunday.
The train’s engineer told investigators he realized the speed limit was 15 mph in that stretch of track but accelerated to 40 mph anyway, National Transportation Safety Board Vice Chairman Robert Sumwalt told reporters.
Moments later, the engineer noticed the freight train on the tracks ahead and applied his emergency brakes; the passenger train then skidded about 400 to 500 feet and slammed into the freight train at about 35 mph, Sumwalt said.
Most of the 187 passengers on board the Pere Marquette traveling to Chicago from Grand Rapids, Mich., walked away without major injuries from the impact, which catapulted people from their seats.
The accident sent 71 people to hospitals. Three people – one Amtrak crew member and two passengers – were hospitalized overnight and released Saturday.
WASHINGTON
Kennedy Center honors artists
From “Good Vibrations” to “GoodFellas,” Brian Wilson and Martin Scorsese scored. Steve Martin strutted as one of the “wild and crazy guys.” Diana Ross sang to Motown stardom. Pianist Leon Fleisher surmounted a debilitating injury.
Their contributions to American culture won them a visit Sunday to the White House and recognition by President Bush, followed by an evening of celebration at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For their career achievements, the five were named in September as members of the 30th class of Kennedy Center honorees.
Steve Carell, star of NBC’s “The Office,” said: “I am in awe of Steve Martin. I admire his career. I respect him more than anyone, with the possible exception of Martin Scorsese.”
Actor and comedian Martin Short also gave his pal some ribbing. Asked what he thought about the Kennedy Center honor for Steve Martin, Short said: “It’s fantastic. It’s amazing what bribery will do.”
The two-hour event will air Dec. 26 on CBS.