Hearing set for inquest into death of conductor whose train derailed on washed-out bridge

A hearing has been set to determine who can participate in the upcoming inquest into the death of Kevin Anderson, who died in 2018 after waiting hours for medical help following a train derailment in a remote area of northern Manitoba.

Anderson,38,was conducting a freight train that went off the tracksafter going over a bridge that had washed outnear Ponton,about 545 kilometres north of Winnipeg,on Sept. 15, 2018.

Anderson and a 59-year-old engineer werepinned in the wreckage, seriously injured and with no means of communicating with the outside world, saysthe government release about the standing hearing.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., the wreckage was discovered by people in a helicopter that happened to fly overhead.

RCMP arrived around7 p.m. but due to concerns about fuel leaking from the wreckage, a decision was made to bar access to the site until it could be assessed by trained and equipped personnel. Those peopledid not arrive at the site until midnight.

Anderson died shortly after, having never received any medical attention and still pinned in the wreckage, the government release says. His remains weren't extricated from the wreckage until Sept. 18, three days later.

An autopsy report later determined that Anderson bled to death after suffering "serious but survivable injuries."

A 59-year-oldengineer survived but was seriously injured.

ATransportation Safety Board report released earlier this year blamed asummer of heavy precipitation and high water levels for thewashout.The water created pressure against the raised bed of the track until it finally gave out.

The Hudson Bay Railway train operated by Anderson and his co-worker was moving at40 km/h when it reached the washout,the TSBreportsaid.

The rails and ties were in place but unsupported,hanging over an empty space15 metres long and almost five metres deep. The train went onto the unsupported section, whichcollapsed under the weight.

An inquest wascalled by the chief medical examiner to determine the circumstances relating to Anderson's death, specifically:

• To review the co-ordination of a multi-agency response to a serious incident in a remote setting.
• To examine policies and protocols used by police, paramedics and other first responders regarding operation in a potentially dangerous setting.
• To determine what, if anything, can be done to prevent similar deaths from occurring in the future.

A date for the inquest has yet to be set. That will come after the standing hearing,which will be held on Dec. 18 at 1:30 p.m. at the court office inThe Pas.

Ajudge will use the standing hearing to decide who can participate in the inquest and question witnesses.

Individuals and groups who want to begranted standing can apply to be part of the December hearing. Contact Peter Edgett, inquest counsel, at 204-918-0479 orPeter.Edgett@gov.mb.caby Dec. 1.