USA: City of New Orleans crash - Investigators begin probe

Investigators have begun to piece together the jigsaw of what happened in Monday's Amtrak train crash in

Photo: Reuters Ariel view of the accident scene showing the scale of the destruction

which 11 people died.

Those who died were travelling in a double decker sleeping car, the fourth vehicle behind the engine. It was engulfed in flames as a fire that started in one of the locomotives spread.

Data from the locomotives' black box recorders will be examined to ascertain train speed and the moment that the brakes were applied.

Photo: Chicago Tribune Examining the lead locomotive

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators will want to know how the truck came to be on the crossing at the time the train was approaching. According to early reports the truck driver stated that he did not notice that the warning lights were flashing.

The warning lights were clearly working, at least at the truck's exit from the crossing

The lights and the barriers should work in conjunction to warn road users of an approachin train. U.S. regulations state that there must be at least 20 seconds between the barrier closing and the train passing. At this crossing, with a train travelling at the maximum allowed, 79 mph there is a 27 second interval.

There were two box cars on a siding alongside the main running lines. These were loaded with steel rods, creating a formidable obstacle for the passenger cars as they ran amok after the collision. Authorities state that impact with them might have worsened the destruction of the train. Their presence on the line as the truck moved onto the crossing may have obscured the truck drivers view of the oncoming train.

Tyre marks found on the crossing will be examined to see if they can shed any light on the sequence of events.

Earlier reports: