A man in a pickup was killed early this morning in Holly Township north of Detroit after he apparently drove into the the side of CN train. Police say he hit the train between the 8th and 9th cars. Gates were down and lights working according to witnesses. This particular CN line runs from Detroit north to Durand.
Ross
Ross, I feel that your title might be found to be premature, and incorrect. It could be that the person wilfully, or negligently, ran his vehicle through the barrier or past signals and into the train, but it is also likely that the person was ill, say with diabetes and lapsed into unconcsciousness. He may have had a heart attack.
No rational person wilfully drives into a train.
-Crandell
Good point...it appears that one of the gates was snapped off so he apparently drove through the gate instead of around it.
Oakland PressAccording to Michigan State Police, his truck topped a hill and moved into the southbound lanes to pass four vehicles already stopped for the oncoming train and then drove through the lowered gate and hit the eighth car of the passing Grand Trunk Railroad train.
It does sound like he made an intentional move into the oncoming lane, however.
Based on the picture on the paper's website, he hit the train pretty hard.
It appears the train was eastbound, so would have been coming from his left. It was about a half mile from the CSX/GTW diamond in Holly.
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...
Check out the article, photo, and especially the comments to the article below from the locals at the link that tree68 provided above (Thanks ! Larry). There may be a little more to this than meets the eye - steep hill, limited visibility of/ at the crossing, etc.
Still, I thought these 2 responses - to a comment that the accident needs to be thoroughly investigated - were notable:
- "Me too. We need to find out what is wrong with these automobile operators [-] they should know that you cannot win against a locomotive." - Bob, Feb 25, 2009 9:22 AM.
- " "The medical examiner is going to d[o] an autopsy to find out how he died." Hm... I think he was hit by a train and it's most likely the reason he died." - Med Exam, Feb 25, 2009 12:43 PM.
- Paul North.
I grew up just south of there. Holly was in our athletic league. I may have been across that crossing just a couple of years ago, but I don't remember.
I posted a comment correcting "Med Exam's" comment about being hit by the train.
Must have been quite a hit, the picture appears to show the crossing gate spun around, as though it would come down on the tracks. It will be interesting to find out more and see what really happened to this person, who unfortunately like so many others will not get a second chance to make the same mistake.
Does he have kids ? Because if he does then he is not entitled to the Darwin award.
Just went back and took a look at the additional comments following the Oakland Press article. Very telling.
It appears that speeding is an ongoing issue at that particular location, and that the approach to the crossing is down a steep hill which limits your view of the crossing until you're on top of it. It's very possible he was "carrying the mail" in what may or may not have been his usual manner and found himself with nowhere to go. In that respect, we can consider it a good thing that he didn't take any of the occupants of the four cars he passed with him.
These tough economic times have many people on the edge...maybe this person went over.
Like was earlier mentioned, I think he may have been speeding and unable to stop, being surprised by the train. I don't know why else somebody would have taken off the gate, especially after the train has started across. It's not like he got creamed my the locos like classic beat-the-train cases. That still would have been recklessness on his part (and should still be entitled to a Darwin Award in that case). It's still not certain what happened since teh investigation is ongoing, but my speculation is speeding was that cause. I assume the picture also shows him in the truck.
Tree 68,
I live in Waterford, and I'm famaliar with the Fish Lake Road crossing. It's not good if you are northbound.
OTOH, I will avoid speculation on the cause.
Norm
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