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Metrolink spokeswoman Denise Tyrrell, who had said publicly on Saturday that the agency's engineer ran a red light and caused the Chatsworth train crash, resigned after the agency's board released its own statement distancing Metrolink from her statement. Tyrrell emailed LA Observed and other members of the media over night:
As a result of yesterday's closed session Metrolink board meeting as well as follow-up statements that have made by Metrolink board members to the press - I have resigned my position at Metrolink.Although the NTSB is miffed, there is a very good reason for Metrolink to state that our engineer ran a red light - it was the truth. Apparently, the NTSB is more interested in observing antique protocol than informing the public.
Metrolink had an opportunity to be brave and honest with the public - and they blinked.
Denise Tyrrell
former spokesperson for Metrolink
currently looking for a new job.
The Metrolink board released a statement Sunday, on its own without the press office:
Metrolink staff has recently made comments regarding the possible cause of the September 12th, 2008, tragedy in Chatsworth. The National Transportation Safety Board has characterized these comments as premature and has ordered Metrolink to withhold further comments at this time pending investigation and we agree.
NTSB member Kitty Higgins also said at Sunday night's briefing that not enough was known to assign blame, but acknowledged that the crash resulted when the Metrolink train did not stop as required at a red signal. Here's a Daily News story and an entry at the LAT's Bottleneck Blog.