Granted the cop drove around the gates, but I feel that the UP should have cleared the crossing better.
https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2019/05/22/texas-sheriffs-deputy-vehicle-hit-by-train-es-vpx.cnn
The train on the near track was still moving and had not cleared the crossing when the Deputy's vehicle went around the gates.
It's not unusual for Emergency Services personnel to lose situational awareness in a high-adrenaline situation. The Deputy may have "known" that the crossing had multiple tracks, but did not act as if he knew that both were active.
Even if he did not know that both tracks wre active, when the gates go down, you MUST stop no matter who you are. It means a train is coming. Trains ALWAYS win.
Caldreamer
That man's got some explaining to do when he gets back to the "cop shop!"
And to think I saw that exact same scenario displayed in a Reading Railroad safety film made in the 1950's! "It's the train you DON'T see...."
Jim, you're right--that first train could have cleared the crossing faster...had they known about these yahoos. I'm sure a call to the emergency number would have addressed the issue.It can be done. Back in 1971, I was injured on a skate job. I go to EE5, but we couldn't get to the hospital because a slow-moving IHB freight was blocking the fire road. The TM (Bob Mason...remember him?) called the GYM (John Hansen...you've got to remember him!), and told him to get hold of the IHB dispatcher, and have him have his crew pick up the pace and clear the fire road (this was before they could have communicatd directly with the crew). That worked, after a couple of minutes--you could see the IHB train pick up speed...I'd never seen a transfer run move like that in my young career. I evidently survived...This is the second video I'd seen of the same incident. There's another one out there taken from the same side of the tracks, but the other side of the intersection and grade crossing. You could hear the stack train sounding his horn for the crossing before Barney Fife turned on his siren.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
zardozGranted the cop drove around the gates,
Watch the response to this include an attempt to impose the 'move over law' requirements on railroads, so they have to "stop" or slow down to restricted speed if they see emergency lights next to the track, and stop 'short of the obstruction' unless specifically cleared (by the police, presumably) to continue. A little safety entitlement is a wonderful thing; its 'logical' extension ... less so.
Watch the Federally-based response by UP and other railroads that basically tells the legislatures to visit the theological place of eternal punishment.
You heard it here first.
zardozGranted the cop drove around the gates, but I feel that the UP should have cleared the crossing better. https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2019/05/22/texas-sheriffs-deputy-vehicle-hit-by-train-es-vpx.cnn
The other video of the incidnet that I had seen, you couldn't tell if the crossing had gates or not. Wait for the gates to rise ALWAYS! The laws of physics do apply and a motor vehicle vs. train will always lose.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
CShaveRRThe TM (Bob Mason...remember him?) called the GYM (John Hansen...you've got to remember him!)
Both videos are floating around on Facebook, saw them last night.
Best comment from those:
I AM THE LAW!!
Well, I am a train, and you is upside down in the ditch.........
Ah, humor...........
Randy Vos
"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings
"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV
OvermodYou heard it here first.
Out of curiosity, where does your username "Overmod" originate?
Why in hell don't crossing gates close both sides of the road on either side of the tracks. It makes no sense the way it's done in Canada and the U.S.
54light15Why in hell don't crossing gates close both sides of the road on either side of the tracks. It makes no sense the way it's done in Canada and the U.S.
It is all about money and whose money it is! Four quadrent gates are required in Quiet Zones.
I think it's important to consider what rcdrye said. In many cases of police responding to emergencies, the police have adrenaline kick in. Hopefully, training also kicks in, but it's not hard to see how something like this happens.
Traveling to the emergency, their minds are focusing on every contigency, including being shot at and having to deal with death and destruction.
York1 John
York1 I think it's important to consider what rcdrye said. In many cases of police responding to emergencies, the police have adrenaline kick in. Hopefully, training also kicks in, but it's not hard to see how something like this happens. Traveling to the emergency, their minds are focusing on every contigency, including being shot at and having to deal with death and destruction.
Several years back there was the following video posted of a YT video of the camera footage of an AMTRAK train that hit a Detroit(Mi) aerial truck that was parked on a crossing. and narrowly missed the accompanying police squad parked next to it.
See linked video @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlUVQb1lsrU
IIRC, That little incident cost the Betroit FD about a quarter million bucks?
Could be caused by a loss of 'Situational Awareness' ?
BaltACD 54light15 Why in hell don't crossing gates close both sides of the road on either side of the tracks. It makes no sense the way it's done in Canada and the U.S. It is all about money and whose money it is! Four quadrent gates are required in Quiet Zones.
54light15 Why in hell don't crossing gates close both sides of the road on either side of the tracks. It makes no sense the way it's done in Canada and the U.S.
Not all Quiet Zones have 4 quadrant gates. I mentioned before Boone, IA doesn't on it's main (Story Street) city street. No median dividers, either. I believe MC posted why that was allowed.
I was once pulling out of the yard in Council Bluffs, going about 10mph or a little less, the crossing gates were down on one steet while we were a ways back. A driver got fed up with waiting and went around the lowered gates. Right behind him was a CB police car. Oh I could tell he wanted to go, but he didn't. I'm sure he radioed one of his compadres about the wayward motorist.
Jeff
I saw this story ...
https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/qa-what-to-do-when-youre-trapped-in-your-neighborhood-by-a-train/500-599e8231-3d55-4287-bd86-b98525b97857
I do not believe that this was the direct quote for the UP PR person .. but probably accurate.
Jaurez said she contacted Union Pacific and was told by company representatives:
"We park our train there because we don't pay overtime, so we pull our crew off and when a new crew comes, that's when the train will move." she said.
The same phenomenon manifested itself in Cardinal, Ontario some 40 years ago, except it was a fire department van occupied by four firefighters, who did not survive the incident. I believe that train was moving significantly faster, as well.
The Detroit incident was certainly a lack of situational awareness.
I was in Rantoul, IL for USAF tech school some years ago, doing some train watching, when a patrol car running lights pulled up to the crossing as a train passed. No collision - but he had to wait, and he was on his way to a house fire. Normally, there was an underpass he could have used, but it was being rebuilt, so all highway traffic had to use surface crossings.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
rdamonJaurez said she contacted Union Pacific and was told by company representatives: "We park our train there because we don't pay overtime, so we pull our crew off and when a new crew comes, that's when the train will move." she said.
A lot of people don't understand hours of service. They think it's the same as overtime.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
In Canada there are quiet zones where the crossings don't even have gates, just the lights. Granted, the track speed is only around 25 mph but they're still quiet zone crossings with no gates.
10000 feet and no dynamics? Today is going to be a good day ...
traisessive1 In Canada there are quiet zones where the crossings don't even have gates, just the lights. Granted, the track speed is only around 25 mph but they're still quiet zone crossings with no gates.
It must have been a quiet crossing, I don’t see how the cop could have tries to cross ahead of the train if I was blowing for the crossing.
Laws say the engineer cannot be charged for murder in this situation, and there’s a reason, they ave nothing they can do to stop their train in time.
This is a sad situation, the cop had to get to his place quick and the train can’t stop moving. The cop chose what he/she though was the best desision and I cost him his life. I feel for his/her family and friends!
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
SPSOT fanIt must have been a quiet crossing, I don’t see how the cop could have tries to cross ahead of the train if I was blowing for the crossing..... The cop chose what he/she though was the best desision and I cost him his life. I feel for his/her family and friends!
zardozThe call must have been fairly urgent, as in the video you can see a second squad right behind the one that was hit.
One news report stated they were going to a medical call (child with breathing problems).
SPSOT fanThe cop chose what he/she though was the best desision and I cost him his life. I feel for his/her family and friends!
Umm.. he was just banged up, but is still among us living.
caldreamerwhen the gates go down, you MUST stop no matter who you are.
Like I always say, merely pinning a badge on someone does nothing to make them smart.
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