Authorities investigate the death of a rail conductor who was struck by a train in Montana

Key Points

• The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the death of a rail conductor struck by a train in Columbus, Montana.
• The conductor, employed by BNSF Railway, was between two trains at the time of the incident, which occurred at approximately 9:40 a.m.
• Emergency officials indicated that one train was parked while another was in motion when the conductor was struck.
• A previous report highlighted that BNSF has been working on safety improvements, but front-line workers often hesitate to report concerns due to fear of discipline.

COLUMBUS, Montana (AP) — Authorities were investigating the death of a rail conductor who was hit by a passing train Sunday in Montana, the National Transportation Safety Board said.

The conductor worked for BNSF Railway, the agency said in a post on the social media site X. BNSF Railway operates one of the largest freight railway networks in the U.S.

The incident occurred at about 9:40 a.m. in Columbus, a town of about 2,000 people 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Billings.

Emergency response officials weren't sure what happened other than that an individual was between two trains, said Nick Jacobs, Columbus Fire Rescue’s assistant chief. One train was parked on one track and the other train was moving on another track, he said.

“And the moving one struck him somehow,” Jacobs said.

The NTSB and Federal Railroad Administration officials were at the scene, Jacobs said.

A spokesperson for BNSF said the company was referring all questions to the NTSB.

The identity of the deceased was not immediately released.

A report by the Federal Railroad Administration last year found BNSF was generally striving to improve safety on a consistent basis, but that message didn't always reach front-line workers who often didn't feel comfortable reporting safety concerns for fear of being disciplined.

The agency prepared the report as part of an effort to review all major railroads to address safety concerns after a 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.