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State investigators continue searching for the cause of the train derailment at the Louisville Zoo. One child, a 21 month-old, remains in serious condition.

Investigators spent Tuesday taking pictures, examining the scene and conducting interviews. The Department of Agriculture said the operator of the train was 18 years old. That is the minimum age for an operator in the state of Kentucky.

The train began operating in 2000. State officials said it passed all recent inspections. The last inspection was January 22, 2009. “State law in 2008 also requires the ride operator to inspect and test the ride everyday before its open to the public,” according to one official.

The train is still on its side, detached from its wheels, with wires and mechanics exposed as inspectors try and figure out how and why it jumped the tracks.

Passengers riding the train have their own ideas about what happened. “It started going a little fast through the tunnel and went around some curves and kept gaining speed, and they said the brakes went out, and then it just fell over,” victim Darren Bamforth said.

“We are going to do a thorough investigation. No matter how much time it takes to get to the bottom of what happened and why it happened,” said Ted Sloan of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

Zoo officials said the train has a 35 point inspection everyday by the driver. The train is also inspected weekly by the Louisville Zoo maintenance staff.

Ruben Lujan of Bruni, Texas is dead after being hit by a Kansas City Southern freight train. Lujan was traveling to a job site when the accident happened in the small town of Aguilares, 26 miles east of Laredo. He was driving a Toyota pickup and pulling a generator over the railroad tracks when he was hit on the driver side by the Kansas City Southern freight train.

“Well we saw the truck how it was damaged and the body was laying down on the ground. Its real tragic it so sad to see something like this happening,” said Hernandez, a family friend.

There are no gates or flashing light signals at the crossing. Hernandez believes it is the Railroad’s responsibility to install crossing arms and lights to warn drivers when a train is coming. “Just like any other place that have guards,” said Hernandez.

An employee with Kansas City Southern says the cargo train was heading west when it hit Lujan’s truck.

The Benchmark Distribution Company employee leaves behind a wife and two young children.

Authorities say Lujan was wearing a seat belt when the train hit him.

Kansas City Southern says the crew aboard the train was not injured and the incident is being investigated.