Cause of death released for 2 killed in train derailment

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (WMAR) - Howard County Police say two teens killed in a train derailment earlier this week died of compressional asphyxia.

The cause of death comes from the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore.

Officials say 19-year-old Elizabeth Nass and 19-year-old Rose Mayr were near the tracks when the train derailed. They were reportedly covered in coal.    

Funeral and viewing arrangements for the two women     were announced Wednesday.

SLIDESHOW | Train derails

( Read full story)

Elizabeth Nass’ viewing is from 5-8 pm  Thursday at the Church of the Resurrection, at 3175 Paulskirk Dr, Ellicott City. The Funeral is Friday at 11 am.

Two viewings have been set for Rose Mayr. The first is from 3-5 p.m. Friday and from 7-9 p.m. Friday at the Harry Witzke funeral home at 4112 Old Columbia Pike,  Ellicott City.  Her funeral is set for Saturday at 11 am at the Bethany United Methodist Church at 2875 Bethany Lane , Ellicott City.

CSX expected to repair damage

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are looking into the cause of the crash . They have shared little details other than the facts that a engineer in training was at the helm, the emergency brake engaged after an issue with the airline in the air brake system and the train was traveling at the appropriate rate of speed.

CSX expected the section of railway in the town to be reopened Thursday or early Friday morning after bringing a test train through the town to assess the safety of the track.

Howard County executive Ken Ulman said CSX will then be expected to scoop out remaining coal.

"We wanna make sure our roads are back open and make sure CSX pays for all the improvements, fixings and repairs that need to happen -- not just because of the accident, but from all of the heavy equipment that has been coming through here over the past couple of days."

Ulman said there is damage to roads, sidewalks, traffic lights, curbs and gutters.

"We need to make sure this town is left as good, if not better, than before they crashed the train," Ulman said.

Ulman says CSX has asked a community safety manager to look at the safety aspects of the railroad line and whether the area can be better secured.

Thursday morning, cranes were out cleaning up the coal from the derailment. All 21 of the train cars were removed, but Main Street remains closed.

Check back with ABC2 News as we continue to develop this story.