Speculation that speed was a factor in yesterday's Metro North train derailment seems to have been confirmed: The NTSB says the train was going 82 MPH when it entered a 30 MPH zone.
Four died as a result of the derailment, with a further 48 injured. More as we know it.
UPDATE: Earl Weener of the NTSB said the following to the AP:
Weener said the throttle went to idle six seconds before the derailed train came to a complete stop — "very late in the game" for a train going that fast" — and the brakes were fully engaged five seconds before the train stopped.
He said investigators were also examining the engineer's cellphone — apparently to determine whether he was operating the train while distracted.
Asked whether the tragedy was the result of human error or faulty brakes, Weener said: "The answer is, at this point in time, we can't tell."