NTSB: Pilot caused Houston Ship Channel collision

  WASHINGTON -- Federal investigators have concluded that pilot error caused the collision of a chemical tanker with a containership in the Houston Ship Channel in October 2011.

The National Transportation Safety Board said in a Tuesday statement that the collision of the tanker Elka Apollon and the container ship MSC Nederland "was likely caused by the inappropriate response of the pilot" controlling the tanker. Also factoring was the combination of a narrow waterway and dense marine traffic.

The NTSB urged the Coast Guard to become "more proactive" in keeping vessels adequately separated in higher-risk sections of the channel. The collision happened where the Bayport and Houston ship channels intersect.

Capt. Robert Thompson of the Houston Pilots disputed the finding of pilot fault, saying the proximity of another vessel factored in the collision.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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HPD: Speed, sprinklers may have caused deadly crash

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Police are trying to determine whether slick roads caused a deadly accident in west Houston this morning.

It happened around 2am on Briar Forest near Mossy Stone Drive.

According to authorities, the car was speeding on Briar Forest when the driver lost control and crashed into a grove of pine trees.

Two men inside the car died at the scene. Investigators say there is no evidence alcohol was involved.

Police say the area has automatic sprinklers that covered the road in water.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Smoking in bed may have caused house fire

A mother and her son run out of their northeast Houston home after a fire breaks out.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A cigarette may be the cause of a house fire in northeast Houston.

This happened at the home on King near Jensen around midnight. Firefighters say a man was smoking in bed when the mattress caught fire. He tried to put it out, but the flames began to spread. The man and his mother escaped the home unharmed.

Firefighters arrived and managed to contain the fire to the bedroom and part of the attic. No one was hurt.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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