Norfolk Southern Conductor Dead After Collision With Dump Truck in Cleveland

A Norfolk Southern train conductor passed away after a train collided with a dump truck in Cleveland, Ohio.

The incident occurred early Tuesday morning “near the rail line that runs through Cleveland-Cliffs Cleveland Works property,” FOX 8 reports.

The news outlet confirmed the Norfolk Southern employee’s death from a company spokesperson.

“A Norfolk Southern employee was killed inside the Cleveland Cliffs steel mill overnight. Per CLE Cliffs a NS train and Stein Inc. dump truck collided resulting in the death of the NS employee. CPD and Norfolk Southern handling the investigation,” said News 5 Cleveland photographer Mike Vielhaber.

A Norfolk Southern employee was killed inside the Cleveland Cliffs steel mill overnight. Per CLE Cliffs a NS train and Stein Inc. dump truck collided resulting in the death of the NS employee. CPD and Norfolk Southern handling the investigation. pic.twitter.com/L68shGhQZh

— Mike Vielhaber (@MVielhaber) March 7, 2023

BREAKING: Train crashes into dump truck in Cleveland, Ohio, Norfolk Southern employee killed https://t.co/YZUDbvfD4V

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) March 7, 2023

A #NorfolkSouthern employee was killed on March 7 when a freight train collided with a dump truck in #Cleveland, Ohio.

The crash occurred at a time when the railway company is facing increased scrutiny over its safety record. https://t.co/9zF9hmy0Kc

— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) March 7, 2023

Cont. from FOX 8:

In a press release the company said, “At this time, officials are reporting that the conductor was struck by a dump truck as a Norfolk Southern train was moving through a crossing at the facility.”

According to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner, the victim has been identified as 46-year-old Louis Shuster of Broadview Heights.

Shuster was the union president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Division 607. Representatives also say that he was a father and Army veteran.

“Lou was a passionate and dedicated union brother,” said Pat Redmond, Local Chairman of BLET Division 607. “He was always there for his coworkers. He was very active in helping veterans who worked on the railroad and veterans all across our community.”

Shuster was reportedly positioned outside the train car and struck by the dump truck when it pulled into the train’s path.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

3News shared the full statement from Norfolk Southern:

Norfolk Southern released the following statement to 3News shortly after 9 a.m.:

“Norfolk Southern Corporation stated that Louis Shuster, a Norfolk Southern conductor, was fatally injured early Tuesday morning at the Cleveland-Cliffs Cleveland Works property in Cleveland, Ohio. At this time, officials are reporting that the conductor was struck by a dump truck as a Norfolk Southern train was moving through a crossing at the facility.

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“Norfolk Southern has been in touch with the conductor’s family and will do all it can to support them and his colleagues. We are grieving the loss of a colleague today. Our hearts go out to his loved ones during this extremely difficult time.

“The company is working with the Cleveland Police Department and Cleveland-Cliffs representatives to confirm the details and learn everything possible about the incident. Further, the company has been in contact with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, SMART-TD union leadership, and Cleveland-Cliffs leadership.

“More information will be released in coordination with law enforcement as it becomes available.”

Earlier Tuesday, a spokesperson for Cleveland-Cliffs told 3News that incident involved a collision between a Norfolk Southern train and the dump truck on a Norfolk Southern rail line that runs through Cleveland-Cliffs Cleveland Works property.

“As a result of the collision, a Norfolk Southern employee lost his life,” the spokesperson said in an e-mail shortly after 6 a.m. “The location is being controlled by Cleveland police and Norfolk Southern.”

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