GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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NJ Train operator had sleep apnea
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/new-jersey-train-crash_us_582d52e7e4b099512f80fade
WASHINGTON, Nov 16 (Reuters) - A lawyer for the engineer of a New Jersey commuter train that crashed in Hoboken in late September, killing one person and injuring more than 100 others, said his client has since been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, which can cause drowsiness.
The disclosure came six weeks after officials of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the engineer had told investigators who interviewed him that he was fully rested at the time of the train wreck but had no memory of it.
Jack Arseneault, a lawyer for the engineer, Thomas Gallagher, told Reuters on Wednesday that after the crash his client was “examined and tested and found to have severe sleep apnea.”
...
Arseneault said he turned over the findings to the NTSB on Oct. 31. Gallagher, 48, was examined in July by an New Jersey Transit doctor and found to be fit for duty, Arseneault added.
The diagnosis could help explain the cause of the Sept. 29 crash. The disorder, characterized by shallow or interrupted breathing during sleep, often goes undiagnosed and can result in poor quality sleep, leaving sufferers fatigued during the day, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
The NTSB said in a preliminary report last month the brakes were working on the train that crashed into the station, killing a woman who was standing on the platform and injuring 110 other people.
The train was traveling at 8 miles per hour (13 kph) 38 seconds before the crash, then accelerated to a speed of 21 mph (34 kph) at impact ? twice the speed limit ? and that emergency brakes were applied one second before the crash, according to the report.
Investigators have found no mechanical issues with the signal and train-control systems, the report said.
I had severe sleep apnea for quite a while. It's pretty scary. You can easily just black out for a few seconds or more as your brain tries to get any amount of sleep that it can, since you aren't actually getting real sleep at night.
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ali120206
2 Boys
Member since 7/06 17795 total posts
Name:
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Re: NJ Train operator had sleep apnea
Posted by Tulips915
The news today said he was tested earlier this year and did not have it..
How do you go from not having it to severe sleep apnea?!? Doesn't make sense.
The conductors should be routinely checked for this.
You can develop it quickly. My husband has it - but, only has had it for the past year (and it's pretty bad).
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NYCGirl80
I love my kiddies!
Member since 5/11 10413 total posts
Name:
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Re: NJ Train operator had sleep apnea
Posted by ali120206
Posted by Tulips915
The news today said he was tested earlier this year and did not have it..
How do you go from not having it to severe sleep apnea?!? Doesn't make sense.
The conductors should be routinely checked for this.
You can develop it quickly. My husband has it - but, only has had it for the past year (and it's pretty bad).
Agree. My husband has it, too. He didn't have it when we met, but a few years ago it became apparent something was wrong. I'd hear him stop breathing when he was sleeping and he began snoring really loudly. He also had a hard time staying awake during the day. He eventually got tested and now it's under control.
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