Members of the city fire dept. attend to accident victims near the lower terminus of the Angels Flight funicular railway while one fireman is seen in the background looking into the cable car that sits on the tracks. On February 1, 2001 the funicular experienced mechanical failure, resulting in the death of passenger Leon Praport, 83, and the injuries of seven others, including Praport's wife, Lola. The accident occurred when the ascending Sinai cable car suddenly reversed direction and uncontrollably accelerated downhill and struck the Olivet cable car near the lower terminus. According to an investigation conducted by The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) the probable cause of the accident was the improper design and construction of the Angels Flight funicular drive and the failure of the various regulatory bodies to ensure that the railway system met the initial safety design specifications and funicular railway safety standards.
Angels Flight (Railway) Los Angeles (Calif.).--Fire Department Railroads, Cable--California--Los Angeles Railroad accidents--California--Los Angeles Fire engines--California--Los Angeles Fire fighters--California--Los Angeles
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