DECATUR — The death of a Norfolk Southern locomotive engineer is under investigation after an accident Wednesday in Decatur.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, Chris Wilson, 55, of Muscle Shoals was killed after his locomotive struck was by a freight car in a rail yard. He was taken to Huntsville Hospital and died of his injuries Thursday, reports say.

The NTSB said the accident happened when the locomotive that Wilson was in was struck by freight cars, WAFF-TV reported.

“Additional factual information about the exact circumstances of the accident is still being developed,” a spokesperson for the NTSB said today.

My prayers are with the family and loved ones of the Norfolk Southern engineer who was tragically killed yesterday in Decatur, AL.

I expect a full and thorough investigation from the Department of Transportation’s FRA and NTSB.

— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) February 1, 2024

Investigators said the preliminary report should be out in about two to three weeks.

The railroad said in a statement that it is “grieving the loss of a member of our team and our hearts are with their loved ones during this extremely difficult time. We are cooperating fully with the NTSB to understand what happened.”