Although official autopsy results have not been made available to the public regarding the death of Joann Sewell, former Wolfline employee, Sewell’s daughter said the family was told the cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning.
In a report by WRAL , Sewell’s daughter, Sherese Brown, told reporters that an autopsy revealed Sewell died of carbon monoxide poisoning three days after collapsing out of a Wolfline bus.
Brown’s claim remains unconfirmed. First Transit, who contracts the Wolfline buses, refused to speak on behalf of Sewell’s death, but instead sent a brief news release.
“First Transit continues to cooperate with OSHA in its investigation, and to date OSHA’s ongoing investigation has not revealed any safety concerns,” Timothy Stokes, First Transit spokesperson, said in the news release.
“In particular, OSHA has conducted air monitoring on the buses in question and the testing did not reveal any detectable amount of carbon monoxide,” Stokes said in the release.
The release assured the public that Wolfline buses are safe to ride, and that safety is a priority.
Brian O’ Sullivan, Assistant Director of Planning and Operations at the N.C . State said no official reports have been made aware to him.
“I have not seen anything definitive and we haven’t really been hunting for any type of progress report,” O’ Sullivan said. “We have no involvement in any kind of investigation that could explain the situation.”
O’ Sullivan said his department’s primary goal is to make sure that the buses stay running, and a lthough saddened by the loss of an employee, his department has taken no part in an investigation of their own.
“The family may have an interest in some kind of legal resolution regarding First Transit, but as far as the University is concerned, we’re kind of standing on the sidelines,” O’ Sullivan said.
Student government has discussed attempting to get the University involved in a separate investigation.
“We’re sorry the incident happened but we are continuing to operate a system here,” O’ Sullivan said. “We’re concerned that everyone believes us that there aren’t any threatening environmental issues going on with the buses.”
Rachel Wells, Business Director of Teamsters Union of Raleigh, said Sewell was a part of the Union along with several other Wolfline members, and that they will consider whether to take action, depending on OSHA’s investigation.
“Once we receive an official report by OSHA, then we will be able to go a little farther,” Wells said.
Teamsters has already provided Sewell’s family with a “death benefit,” but could not say with certainty what, if anything, that First Transit had provided to Sewell’s family so far.
As for Sewell’s daughter’s claim, Wells could not speak for or against it.
“From what I understand, the daughter released to the media what the report was, what she had found out from her attorney and from the medical examiner, but I don’t think that has been officially released yet,” Wells said.
The investigation of Sewell’s death is currently inconclusive. When complete, the evidence will come out in a report.
“Since the investigation has commenced, First Transit has continued to operate safely and efficiently, transporting students, faculty and staff in and around the community and campus,” Timothy Stokes said in the news release.
It appears that the Wolfline will keep running its course.
