Norfolk Southern conductor killed in collision with dump truck weeks after toxic Ohio derailment 

Norfolk Southern is facing a special probe by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) following two high-profile derailments in the span of a month, as well as a Tuesday crash that left one of its conductors dead.

The investigation, announced by the federal agency shortly after the fatal crash, will analyze safety practices currently in place at the company, which has faced backlash for the incidents, which includes a February 3 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

Hours before the announcement, a Norfolk train conductor, identified as 44-year-old Louis Shuster, died after the train he was manning collided with a dump truck in Cleveland roughly 90 miles from the site of the East Palestine derailment.

The early-morning collision occurred around 1:19am at a rail line crossing near a local steel facility, and saw the Norfolk Southern staffer struck and killed.

Days before, another Norfolk freight train derailed in Springfield, about 200 miles southwest of East Palestine, where officials are still cleaning truckloads of toxic waste wrought by the first crash.

The investigation, announced by the agency Tuesday, will analyze safety practices in place at the company, which has faced scrutiny after a derailment last month in East Palestine, Ohio (pictured) 

The announcement came hours after a Norfolk Southern train (seen here) reportedly collided with a dump truck killing one of its conductors. The incident marked the third accident in just over a month involving Norfolk freighters, with all the accidents occurring in Ohio

All of the incidents occurred in Ohio, with the most recent spurring the NTSB to finally get involved.

The safety board is now investigating all three crashes, and said in a statement is was already sending crews to the scene of the Cleveland crash, which transpired at a rail crossing that bisects Cleveland-Cliffs’ Cleveland Works on 3223 Independence Road.

In its statement, the NTSB said it was the proximity of these three accidents that influenced its decision to launch the probe. 

Officials further ordered staffers from the embattled transport company to travel the site of the recent crash immediately, so that they can asses the safety practices that had been in place prior to the incident.

'Given the number and significance of recent Norfolk Southern accidents, the NTSB also urges the company to take immediate action today to review and assess its safety practices, with the input of employees and others, and implement necessary changes to improve safety,' the NTSB said in a statement. 

The safety board is now investigating all three crashes, and said in a statement is was already sending crews to the scene of the Cleveland crash, which transpired at a rail crossing that bisects Cleveland-Cliffs’ Cleveland Works on 3223 Independence Road (seen here)

Hours before, Northern Southern issued its own statement confirming Shuster's death.'Louis Shuster, a Norfolk Southern conductor, was fatally injured early Tuesday morning at the Cleveland-Cliffs Cleveland Works property in Cleveland, Ohio,' the statement, issued at 9:19am ET, said.

The notice added that  officials had discerned the conductor was struck by the dump truck as his train was crossing through the facility, but did not provide any additional information as to the truck driver and his condition.

Norfolk said it is currently working with Ohio's Governor Mike DeWine and the Cleveland police force to learn more about what caused the crash, which came less than a day after Norfolk announced a new, six-pronged safety plan to help prevent derailments in the future.

Shuster, who lived in the nearby community reportedly standing outside the first car of the Norfolk Southern train when the truck collided with its front left side, fatally injuring the conductor.

Days before, another Norfolk train derailed in Springfield, about 200 miles southwest of East Palestine, where officials are still cleaning truckloads of toxic waste. The derailment was the second involving a Norfolk train in barely a month, drawing attention to its safety practices

The dump truck operator’s name and condition was not immediately available at the time of reporting, though Shuster was confirmed by both the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner and Norfolk Southern Tuesday to be the crash's sole casualty.

The incident marks the third accident involving a Norfolk Southern train in the state in barely a month, following two derailments further south in East Palestine and Springfield, with the latter coming just days ago, this past Saturday.

Now facing criticism for the string of safety lapses, the transport company has vowed to clean up an estimated 30,000 truckloads of toxic waste wrought by the first wreck, which involved a freighter tasked with carrying the hazardous materials.

The company continues to face scrutiny over the two other incidents, which occurred on February 3 and this past Saturday, respectively.

Amid this backlash, the company's CEO, Alan Shaw, announced a new six-point safety plan Monday before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee designed to help prevent similar derailments.

Union bosses claimed that 40 rail workers sent to the clean-up site in East Palestine last month, several have already began exhibiting the aforementioned symptoms - which are sometimes associated with chemical poisoning 

Following the derailment last month, area residents were briefly ordered to evacuate after the crash before being cleared to return to their homes days later. Several have since reported experiencing unusual symptoms sometimes synonymous with poisoning - such as rashes and burning sensations when they breathe.

Although no individuals were injured or killed in the accident, the derailment and its aftermath has thrown the entire small Ohio village and its surrounding towns into disarray.

In total, roughly half of East Palestine's more than 4,700 residents were evacuated, as hazardous chemicals rapidly overtook the air, ground, and water near the small town.

About 50 cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed in the small Ohio town

The train derailment on February 3 set off a fire that could be seen from miles away

After they were cleared to return, some residents told DailyMail.com that they are still feeling the effects of the toxic runoff, including rashes, shortness of breath, headaches and more. 

Aside from the unconfirmed reports of sickness, the derailment promptly put the topic of rail safety to the top of public discourse, as well as federal questions about the regulations surrounding the transport of hazardous materials. 

Saturday's crash in Springfield, meanwhile, knocked out power for roughly 700 residents in the small city set just west of Columbus. It also spurred a temporary shelter-in-place order for homes within 1,000 feet of the scene. 

Dramatic footage captured at the scene showed the moment the train came of its rails - an occurrence that, like the other two accidents, has yet to be explained.

In that case, no materials spilled from the derailed Norfolk freighter, officials said, adding that there was no environmental harm.

As for the most recent incident, Norfolk Southern said it has been in touch with the late conductor’s family, saying the company 'will do all it can to support them and his colleagues.'

The railroad added: 'We are grieving the loss of a colleague today. Our hearts go out to his loved ones during this extremely difficult time.'