BNSF conductor loses leg in yard accident

WILLMAR, Minn. — A 31-year old BNSF conductor , a UTU Local 1177 member, suffered a leg amputation in a yard accident here Feb. 3 — the second UTU member to endure such an accident in 2011.

Corey Lynn Kluver, the father of three young children, reportedly was making a cut of cars in a snow-covered yard when the accident occurred.

Kluver was airlifted to a local hospital after two surgeons arrived on the scene to free him. According to local news reports, hydraulic jacks were used to lift the rail car that pinned him.

UTU Minnesota State Legislative Director Phil Qualy said the issue of snow removal in the yard was raised with BNSF officials at a Jan. 21 safety meeting, and a letter had earlier been sent by Qualy to BNSF regarding snow removal in the yard.

In the earlier incident, Norfolk Southern conductor and Local 768 member Larry McVay, 43, lost an arm and a leg in a Jan. 3 switching accident at a yard in Lafayette, Ind.

Neither accident involved a remote control assignment.

Click on the link, below, for a message on yard safety. The UTU Transportation Safety Team recommends you print out the message and post on employee bulletin boards:

https://www.smart-union.org/news/tis-the-season-%e2%80%93-for-deadly-yard-accidents/