Sleep apnea suspected in fatal Hoboken train crash
Officials say sleep apnea may have played a role in the Hoboken Terminal crash that occurred on Sept. 29, killing a woman.
The Associated Press reported that two U.S. officials were briefed on the investigation and that sleep apnea is being investigated as a potential cause.
Another official confirmed to The Record that 48-year-old Thomas Gallagher, who was operating the train, was diagnosed after the crash with sleep apnea. The official, who was briefed on the matter earlier, spoke on the issue anonymously, as the official was not authorized to discuss the information.
Gallagher did not immediately respond to a telephone call for comment.
NJ Transit confirmed that it does have a sleep apnea screening program but said in a news release that it "is not authorized to discuss any employee’s medical or personal information."
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"The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting an active investigation regarding the accident at Hoboken Terminal on September 29, and NJ Transit is gravely concerned that anyone would fail to properly handle confidential, sensitive and privileged information properly. Under Federal rules, NJ Transit cannot discuss any specifics surrounding the accident," the release said.
Gallagher's union, United Transportation Union – Local 60, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The NTSB also said it could not disclose whether Gallagher was diagnosed with sleep apnea.
"I can tell you that examining the medical fitness of transportation workers involved in accidents is part of our investigative process. That includes examining if undiagnosed conditions exist that could have contributed or impaired the worker or otherwise contributed to the accident. It also includes examining if declared or diagnosed conditions were being adequately treated," Christopher O'Neil of the NTSB told The Record in an email.
Sen. Bob Menendez was also briefed by the NTSB and the Federal Railroad Administration, according to a news release from his office.
"It’s imperative that New Jersey Transit riders have full transparency into the safety of the transit system they rely upon," Menendez said in the release, "and that elected officials have a clear picture of the safety challenges the agency is facing."
More on the crash:
One dead, 108 hurt, many questions after N.J. train tragedy