1966 Everett, Massachusetts, truck-train crash

1966 railway accident in Massachusetts, United States March 2024 October 2026 February 2025 1966 Everett truck-train crash 1966 Everett, Massachusetts, truck-train crash.png Front of the involved train, from the report of the Interstate Commerce Commission 42 23 54 N 71 02 53 W inline,title 1966 12 28 y 12:10 am Everett, Massachusetts U.S. Boston and Maine Railroad Moving train collision with stopped vehicle Vehicle stalled at crossing 1 1 13 21 List of rail accidents (1960–1969) The 1966 Everett truck-train crash was a railway accident that occurred on December 28, 1966, when a train struck a stalled tank truck, killing 13 people in Everett, Massachusetts. Crash At 12:10 am, a Boston and Maine Railroad Buddliner traveling from Boston to Rockport struck a stalled tank truck carrying 7000 gal l of oil at the railroad crossing on 2nd Street in Everett, Massachusetts. The Buddliner's cars quickly became engulfed in flames. Its doors jammed on impact and rescuers were forced to break windows to free passengers.https://www.celebrateboston.com/disasters/everett-oil-tanker-crash-1966.htm Everett Oil Tanker Crash, 1966 Celebrate Boston 2020 November 30, 2025 12 people died from burns or smoke inhalation and another 22 were injured.Curran, Lawrence Klarfeld, Jonathan 12 Die in Everett Train-Truck Crash The Boston Globe December 28, 1966 A 13th victim died over a month later.Everett Rail Crash Claims 13th Victim The Boston Daily Globe February 6, 1967https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-major-bm-train-crashes/185972587/ Major B&M train crashes since 1956 Cheryl Devall The Boston Globe 30 August 12, 1981 November 30, 2025 newspapers.com Investigations The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) held joint hearings into the collision. ICC examiner Robert Boyce believed that the Buddliner's doors were responsible for many of the deaths in the accident, stating "I believe more people would have escaped from the train had the door opened outward instead of inward".Murphy Jeremiah Prober Blames Train's Doors The Boston Globe January 14, 1967 Following the hearings, the ICC's enforcement division recommended that: Emergency exits be required on all passenger trains Trains be required to reduce speed in congested areas, railroad passenger cars be made of stronger material and have doors that open outward instead of inward All railroad passenger cars be equipped with emergency kits at both ends of the car Large motor vehicles and vehicles carrying hazardous materials use designated railroad crossings All motor vehicles with parking and emergency brakes have a way for the driver to release these brakes if they are applied automatically Steps be taken to develop a system to warn trains when vehicles have become stalled on the roadway A means be provided to operate the block signal if a motor vehicles becomes disabled on the tracks The government implement a program to educate commercial drivers on what to do if they become stalled at a crossing.Murphy Jeremiah ICC Asks Changes In Rail Car Design The Boston Globe January 21, 1967 The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities blamed the crash on a mechanical defect in the truck's copper right-angle adapter, which became separated, causing the brakes to lose air pressure and triggering the automatic emergency brakes. This issue would not have been detected unless the entire brake system was taken apart.Truck Part Blamed in Crash With Train The Boston Globe June 28, 1967 As a result of the investigation, the DPU lowered the speed limit at grade crossings in Everett and Chelsea from 60 mph kph for passenger trains and 40 mph kph for freight trains to 35 mph kph and ordered a reconstruction of the 2nd Street crossing.Hanron Robert DPU Slows B&M Near Crash Sites The Boston Globe March 17, 1967 The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) blamed a loss of air pressure in the truck's brakes for the accident, but found that the truck's brakes complied with regulations. The NTSB's report blamed the deaths on a lack of emergency exits, darkness caused by the failure of the car's lighting system, and the jamming of the inward opening car door.Stewart Richard RR Crash Blamed on Air Loss The Boston Globe March 7, 1968 In 1973, a damages settlement of $2,125,000 2125000 1973 was reached, with damages being paid by the railroad, the Budd Company (manufacturer of the Buddliner), and the Oxbow Transportation Company (operator of the accident truck).https://www.nytimes.com/1973/03/04/archives/suit-over-crash-fatal-to-13-is-settled-for-2million.html Suit Over Crash Fatal to 13 Is Settled for $2‐Million AP The New York Times 58 March 4, 1973 November 30, 2025 nytimes.com See also List of disasters in Massachusetts by death toll References External links Final accident report - NTSB Category:1966 disasters in the United States Category:1966 in Massachusetts Category:1966 road incidents Category:Accidents and incidents involving Boston and Maine Railroad Category:December 1966 in the United States 1966 train crash Category:Railway accidents and incidents in Massachusetts Category:Railway accidents in 1966 Category:Railroad crossing accidents in the United States