CLEVELAND, March 25 — Brother Thomas J. Kenny of BLET Division 238 (Tacoma, Wash.) was one of three people killed when an off duty crew transport vehicle was struck by a BNSF freight train near Longview, Wash., on March 23. A fourth crew member is in critical condition.
Brother Kenny, 58, was a 22-year veteran of BNSF. He first joined the BLET on May 1, 1994.
According to a report in The Daily News of Longview, Wash., the two other victims are 28-year-old Christopher J. Loehr, a conductor trainee since January, and van driver Steven Dean Sebastian, 60, an employee of Coach America.
Veteran conductor Dwight Leonard Hauck, 51, remains in critical condition at a local hospital.
The three train crew members were taking the transport vehicle to a Vancouver hotel after their tour of duty on Wednesday (March 23). The vehicle was at a private crossing when it was struck by the BNSF freight train. The crossing does not have lighted signals but is equipped with crossing signs and stop signs.
The vehicle landed at the bottom of a 25-foot embankment, more than 50 feet from the crossing.
Even though the National Transportation Safety Board is not investigating the crash, the BLET Safety Task Force is attempting to piece together what happened.
BLET National President Dennis Pierce offered condolences on behalf of the BLET National Division to everyone touched by this tragedy.
More details regarding Brother Kenny will be made available soon.