NTSB says CSX and city of Biloxi share blame in deadly bus/train collision

BILOXI, MS (WLOX) - The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of the 2017 fatal bus/ train collision was a failure of the city of Biloxi and CSX Transportation. NTSB said both parties failed to communicate about vehicles getting stuck on the track, also known as grounding.

The city of Biloxi and CSX were also reprimanded for not taking action to improve the safety of the grade crossing on Main Street, where the collision happened.

NTSB announced maintenance that raised the crossing in 2014 resulted in nearly 20 incidents of vehicles getting stuck on the crossing, including the March 7, 2017 collision.

The board also concluded all the bus driver's decisions that day were reasonable, including how he used GPS to take him that route.

There were 15 findings from the NTSB investigation, including better communication and more proactive measures from every agency involved.

Eleven safety recommendations came from the accident investigation, including more warning signs at these high-grade crossings, pre-trip safety briefings for bus trips, and warnings to railroad conductors about the numerous steep grade crossings in Biloxi.

Four passengers lost their lives in the collision.

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