Subway Operator Says He’s Wasn’t Speeding

CHICAGO – The operator of the train that derailed in a city subway this week has told investigators he wasn’t speeding at the time of the accident that sent more than 150 people to area hospitals, a National Transportation Safety Board official said Thursday.

The speed limit where Tuesday’s accident occurred was 25 mph and the Chicago Transit Authority operator said he believed he was going 20 mph, NTSB investigator Kitty Higgins said, adding that the agency would attempt to verify the train’s speed.

Investigators, who already have examined the train cars involved, have not pinpointed why the last car of the eight-car train heading to O’Hare International Airport went off the tracks, causing material underneath to catch fire, Higgins said.

Investigator said they plan to examine the tracks where the accident occurred and review the train’s maintenance record in coming days.