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The Vermont Statutes Online



Title

05

:
Aeronautics and Surface Transportation Generally






Chapter

062

:
POWERS AND DUTIES OF BOARD RELATING TO RAILROADS











 

§

3454. Investigation of accidents; hearing; determination; publicity

The board shall

inquire into the cause of every accident on a railroad resulting in loss of

life, and, in its judgment, into any accident, collision, or derailment of

trains not so resulting. When, in its judgment, a public investigation is

necessary in the interests of public safety, it shall fix a time and place of

holding the same and shall summon the person or corporation operating such

railroad, the parties known to have been injured in the accident, and, if

known, a representative or friend of a person killed thereby, to appear and

give evidence regarding the cause of such accident. The board shall also notify

the state's attorney of the county in which the accident occurred, who shall

investigate the cause of such accident, produce witnesses who can give evidence

in regard to the same, and attend and represent the state at such hearing. All

parties summoned, and other persons interested, may appear and be made parties

thereto, may produce witnesses or other evidence, and be represented by

counsel. On notice from the board, the person or corporation operating the

railroad shall produce all trainmen and other employees who can give pertinent

evidence in regard to the cause of the accident, free of expense to the state.

The board shall make public its determination in regard to the cause of the

accident so investigated, and cause a permanent record thereof to be made.

(Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 39(b), eff. March 1, 1961.)