The driver was cited for ignoring the lights - remember that the lights start well before the gates start down. He had plenty of time to stop.
http://fox8.com/2016/03/11/driver-cited-for-ignoring-lights-after-train-hits-van-in-brook-park/
On top of that, he tried going around the truck on the right side. If he was concerned about getting off the crossing, the pavement on the left side was the safer bet.
The crossing is here: N 41 23' 49" W 81 50' 32"
Here is the criteria for an actual "Darwin Award:" "In the spirit of Charles Darwin, the Darwin Awards commemorate individuals who protect our gene pool by making the ultimate sacrifice of their own lives. Darwin Award winners eliminate themselves in an extraordinarily idiotic manner, thereby improving our species' chances of long-term survival." Local officials acknowledged that he was a candidate by citing him for his bone-headed actions.
"In the spirit of Charles Darwin, the Darwin Awards commemorate individuals who protect our gene pool by making the ultimate sacrifice of their own lives. Darwin Award winners eliminate themselves in an extraordinarily idiotic manner, thereby improving our species' chances of long-term survival."
Local officials acknowledged that he was a candidate by citing him for his bone-headed actions.
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...
I see a couple issues here.
The tractor trailer driver also went across the crossing without adequate space to clear the tracks. AT&T Van shouldn't have been following blindly, but got trapped on the tracks, too. Looks like he panicked and tried to get off the tracks.
Is that traffic light tied into the crossing? If it is, it looks like it didn't change (going by the reaction of the cars) until the gates were already dropping. Not good. Granted nobody should be stopped on the tracks to begin with, but these crossigns next to intersections like that are messed up.
Good job on the officer. I hope he gets some recognition. As far as going towards the oncoming train - perhaps a public awareness campaign is needed?
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
steve24944 Police dash cam of a NS Train crushing a van. See video in the attached link. http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2016/03/16/Van-destroyed-by-train-seconds-after-police-officer-chases-driver-away/9101458140699/
Police dash cam of a NS Train crushing a van.
See video in the attached link.
http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2016/03/16/Van-destroyed-by-train-seconds-after-police-officer-chases-driver-away/9101458140699/
Neither the Cop or the Driver of the hung up vehicle showed all that much situational awareness as they moved in the direction of the trains travel and could have been hit by the vehicle as a secondary impact after the train struck the vehicle - fortunately the truck continued with the train after the initial impact.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Firelock76 Can't speak for everyone else, but I never said a thing about that Amtrak employee.
Can't speak for everyone else, but I never said a thing about that Amtrak employee.
Of course not. You would not. And that is my point. Nobody ever suggested he was a Darwin winner or mentally defective. And they should not have. But an ordinary civilian's death at a crossing brings out the ghoul squad on here
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
Here we go again with maligning crossing vctims: "idiot" "darwin, darwin." Does that make you feel better?
So how about the thread on here about the Amtrak employee that was killed recently by a train? An Amtrak employee was struck and killed by a New Jersey Transit train during Tuesday’s early-morning commute. The incident happened at about 4:45 a.m. as the train passed through New Brunswick, NJ. The train was carrying about 300 passengers from Trenton to Penn Station in Manhattan. The Amtrak employee was working on the tracks, which are part of the Northeast Corridor and shared by Amtrak and New Jersey Transit. Amtrak officials are investigating the incident.
He, more than ordinary folks, should have known better about the dangers of standing on a track. Double standard?
Paging Mr Darwin, Mr. Darwin please...
Somebody's got some 'splainin' to do back at the AT&T shop!
As Bugs Bunny used to say, "What a maroon!"
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