44 train engineers diagnosed with sleep apnea, sidelined
Dozens of New Jersey Transit train engineers have been sidelined because testing imposed after a deadly rail crash found they suffered from sleep apnea.
An NJ Transit train pulls into the station (Mel Evans/AP, file)
Dozens of New Jersey Transit train engineers have been sidelined because testing imposed after a deadly rail crash found they suffered from sleep apnea.
The agency screened 373 engineers for sleep disorders, and 57 were taken out of service until a full study could be conducted.
NJ.com reported Wednesday 44 eventually were confirmed to have sleep apnea and were sidelined until they met treatment requirements for the disorder, which causes people to breathe irregularly, not get restful sleep and feel tired later.
Three of those engineers remain out of service. The 13 others were found to not have sleep disorders.
The testing followed a September 2016 crash in which a train slammed into a station in Hoboken, killing a woman and injuring more than 100 people. The National Transportation Safety Board found the engineer suffered from sleep apnea.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Rutgers medical students moonlight as Bergen Barbers, doling out haircuts and shaves to patients
The group was inspired by a patient who became depressed and requested a haircut.
3 days ago
Listen 1:17
TV’s Dr. Oz invested in businesses regulated by the agency Trump wants him to run
The celebrity doctor recently held investments worth tens of millions of dollars in health care, tech, and food companies which could pose significant conflicts of interest.
4 days ago
Thousands of resident doctors in Philadelphia want to unionize
They say patient care suffers because of bad working conditions and long hours.
4 days ago
Listen 1:30