In the Line of Duty: Dan J. Hall, John S. Hall
ORLANDO, Fla., June 29 — Three Union Pacific crew members, including two members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, were killed in the line of duty in a head-on rail accident near the town of Goodwell, Okla., at approximately 10 a.m. on June 24.
Killed were BLET members Dan J. Hall, President of BLET Division 592 (Dalhart, Texas) and John S. Hall, also of Division 592. Both men were working as locomotive engineers at the time of the accident. The two are not related. Each man joined the BLET on January 1, 1999. Also killed was UTU member Brian L. Stone, a conductor.
The BLET Safety Task Force (STF) is on the scene to assist the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) with its investigation. STF Primary Investigators Jerry Bullard (Division 212) and Russell Elley (Division 197) are representing the BLET. .
Preliminary reports indicate the accident involved a head-on collision between two Union Pacific Railroad trains operating in Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) territory. Goodwell is approximately 100 miles north of Amarillo, Texas.
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce, at the BLET’s annual meeting of the Southeastern Meeting Association in Orlando, Fla., led the members in a moment of silence for the victims and their families on June 26.
“This is a horrific tragedy that tears at the heart of everyone in our railroad family,” President Pierce said. “On behalf of the National Division, I extend deepest sympathies to the families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
John S. Hall, 49, hired out in 1995. He is survived by his immediate family: wife, Beverly, daughter Breanna, and son Johnathon. A memorial service was held earlier today in Channing, Texas.
Dan J. Hall, 56, hired out in 1994. He is survived by his mother, Lyndell McBrayer, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 30, at the Memorial Park Cemetery with Horizon Funeral Home, Dalhart, Texas.
Friday, June 29, 2012
bentley@ble.org
