Rail Chief Blames Employee in Quebec Train Crash

The president and CEO of the railway's parent company says an employee failed to properly set the brakes of the train that crashed into a town in Quebec, killing at least 15 people.

Edward Burkhardt made the comments during a visit today to the town that was devastated by the runaway oil train four days ago.

He said, "It was questionable whether hand brakes were put I place at this time."  Burkhardt said a train engineer has been suspended without pay.

Officials say 60 people are missing or dead in the aftermath of the train crash.

Quebec police inspector Michel Forget said Wednesday that the latest numbers reflect missing person reports from various sources and that the number is still in flux. Previously, police said some 50 people were reported missing.

Rescuers have recovered 15 bodies from the wreckage so far, but they are so badly burnt that authorities have not been able to identify them.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)