Man struck by train after going around gates

http://ksdk.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=65125I saw this on KSDK's website even though I am in Oregon and on a slow dialup connection. Some guy drove around gates that just came down and got killed by a train. dumb

Riding on Supertrain.

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

RE: man struck by train after going around gates, Eryk, Aug-11-04, 09:37 PM, (1) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, ns_sd70m, Aug-11-04, 11:54 PM, (2) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, cn_bayview, Aug-12-04, 00:02 AM, (3) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, ns_sd70m, Aug-12-04, 00:31 AM, (4) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, Cell0518, Aug-12-04, 00:32 AM, (5) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, Grimace780, Aug-12-04, 10:53 AM, (6) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, CBF, Aug-12-04, 12:08 PM, (7) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, bnsf1959, Aug-12-04, 12:47 PM, (8) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, The MP36er, Aug-13-04, 11:00 AM, (9) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, Baldwinbob, Aug-14-04, 09:35 PM, (12) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, Mr Fuzzums, Aug-15-04, 08:53 AM, (16) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, The MP36er, Aug-15-04, 01:05 PM, (17) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, BeaverMon, Aug-14-04, 12:35 PM, (11) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, truckboy1252, Aug-13-04, 10:24 PM, (10) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, Baldwinbob, Aug-14-04, 09:50 PM, (13) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, Pennsyduplex, Aug-15-04, 00:05 AM, (14) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, Baldwinbob, Aug-15-04, 05:02 PM, (21) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, MikeF, Aug-23-04, 10:48 AM, (28) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, cn_bayview, Aug-15-04, 00:17 AM, (15) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, CBF, Aug-15-04, 02:10 PM, (18) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, ns_sd70m, Aug-15-04, 03:24 PM, (19) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, Ben D, Aug-15-04, 04:01 PM, (20) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, Pennsyduplex, Aug-15-04, 07:17 PM, (22) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, truckboy1252, Aug-15-04, 07:43 PM, (23) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, Ben D, Aug-15-04, 08:15 PM, (24) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, SuperbirdVH, Aug-17-04, 01:35 AM, (25) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, John 136 6000 GO, Aug-24-04, 10:09 AM, (29) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, tcain1, Aug-17-04, 07:37 AM, (26) RE: man struck by train after going around gates, GrandTrunkFan, Aug-22-04, 10:04 PM, (27)

Conferences | Topics | Previous Topic | Next Topic

LAST EDITED ON Aug-11-04 AT 09:39 PM (EST)

It says in the article that the man was 'severly injured' unless that is a recent fact that he died.

Eryk

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

It's sad that it takes something like this to show that trespassing on railroad property may be hazardous to your health. Maybe money shouldn't be spent on putting gates at railrod crossings if people interpret them as "detour" signs. I wish the best to the crew of the train.

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Play with fire, you're bound to get burned. I feel sorry for the train crew.
Here is a shot I took a few weekends ago in Brechin Ontario. The train was starting out of the hole so when this dummy went around the gates the train was doing 5 mph about 100 meters away. But the speed is beyond the point. I snapped a shot of him and was able to get his license plate.I wonder if the police can do anything with this?Rob

TH&B Van #68
www.greatlakesrail.com

Check out my train photos!http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=472

Attachments

http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/User_files/411af9e8527f2b05.jpg

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

He was trespassing on railroad property, plain and simple. I'd turn that picture in to the police. If that isn't enough evidence to prove that the driver is guilty in court, then the police could at least call him down to the station and give him a stern warning about respecting the railroad's right-of-way. If possible, you should find out if the train's crew could be availible to corroborate what you saw.

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Well, I'd hope they could. You caught them right in the act. Would help to get it to the proper authorities, ASAP, though.. Chris

Visit-> -

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

>Here is a shot I took a few weekends ago in Brechin Ontario.
> The train was starting out of the hole so when this dummy
>went around the gates the train was doing 5 mph about 100
>meters away. But the speed is beyond the point. I snapped a
>shot of him and was able to get his license plate.
>
>I wonder if the police can do anything with this? Here in Alberta, Canada, the police CAN and WILL do something with a photo like that. I strongly urge you to take it to your local cop shop. The police may ask if you are prepared to submit a written statement and appear in court if the owner of the vehicle pleads not guilty. If you are prepared to submit said statement and appear in court, police here will issue a ticket to the registered owner of the vehicle.Should you have to appear in court, the prosecutor would simply verify that you took the picture and the date and time the picture was taken. It is doubtful much more would be asked of you. I'd wager there is a very good chance something like this would not see a courtroom; it would be better of the driver to pay the ticket and shut up. Cheers,
Gary Cameron
Grande Prairie "The last civilized stop before Alaska," AB
Canada

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

In our community they put concrete dividers on the pavement between lanes, so that cars cannot drive around the barriers.It seems a shame that such precautions have to be taken to shield people from their own stupidity!Cheers; Chuck F.

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

>
>In our community they put concrete dividers on the pavement
>between lanes, so that cars cannot drive around the
>barriers.
>
>It seems a shame that such precautions have to be taken to
>shield people from their own stupidity! That was brought up for the Chicago area because railroads has seen too many drive around gates. Problem is money and politics, Who is going to pay for it? I know some western community like Downers Grove or Naperville has something like a post barriers between the lanes leading up to the gates. I don't know if they still have this. I think having a double gate crossing is a better idea for both lanes but again money and politics is the problem. I have seen a Express Taxi going around a downed crossing gates late night last week while a BNSF freight was approaching about 5 to 10 MPH. I wished I had my camera or got the Taxi number ID so I can call the Berwyn Police. There was a passenger in the back seat, too. I don't feel sorry for the guy that got killed going around the gates(first message). That's what he gets for his stupidity. Is few more minutes wait not worth your life? Is he in a hurry to kill himself?Ken Plaza

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

At first in Downers Grove, there were plastic posts with black and yellow stripes in between lanes, I'm not sure if they were effective or not, because a few months later, they put in about an 8 inch concrete dividers (basically a curb in the middle of the road)at Main Street and Forest Avenue. The other four crossings in DG do not have these concrete dividers, but Fairview Avenue does have a video-enforced crossing.Joe LeMay

One of us Railfans from Downers Grove, IL

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

>>> I don't feel sorry for the guy that got killed going around the gates(first message). That's what he gets for his stupidity. Is few more minutes wait not worth your life? Is he in a hurry to kill himself? <<<What a bunch of heartless pukes you are! How can you say you don't feel sorry for a human being getting killed? Did he screw up? Yes he did and he paid for it. Did he deserve it? No. The gentleman was 83 years old, probably not as good a driver as you guys, that happens with age, but you don't feel sorry for him? Too bad you cretins couldn't attend his funeral and tell his kids, grand-kids, great-grand-kids that he was an idiot and deserved to die.Have a nice day, I can't wait till you get that old and see what you have to say!

--------------------------

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

>Did he screw up? Yes he did and he paid for it. Did he
>deserve it? No. The gentleman was 83 years old, probably
>not as good a driver as you guys, that happens with age, but
>you don't feel sorry for him?I don't care if you're 83 or 183 or 22 years, 6 months, and 15 days old, when you drive around gates you GET WHAT YOU DESERVE when something happens to you between those gates. He was an idiot, and if his family doesn't acknowledge the fact that it was a stupid thing to do then they are idiots too.Mr. F
Mr. F

"I drank WHAT??" --Socrates

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

If I were an old man and saw a gate sticking out in front of my car, I'd stop, not go around it. Even if he had a bad memory, if he had any sense whatsoever, he would have waited. But this old man did something really stupid, and he paid for it.Joe LeMay

One of us Railfans from Downers Grove, IL

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

What if the crossing gates fail and stay stuck and there's no train approaching?
I remember 1 time when we where living in Kentucky we crossed around those crossing gates because they where stuck and there was no train approaching.
I wasn't driving though, my father was.As long as you look both ways and at least SIT there for a minute to see if a train is coming, you should be allowed to legally go around them IF their stuck.-BeaverMon, AKA Ben-

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

dont mean to sound mean but im glad he got hit he deserved it for being that dumb.

There's no replacement for dicplacement!!!
If it ain't rear-wheel-drive it's WRONG-wheel-drive!
Friggin'
Rear
End
Device

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Shut up, IDIOT!

--------------------------

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

>Shut up, IDIOT! Now that was totally uncalled for !

Ding-Ding, chug-a-chug
Pennsylvania Railroad RULES!!!!

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

>>> Now that was totally uncalled for! <<<I beg to differ, Sir! Did you bother to read what he wrote? >>> im glad he got hit he deserved it <<<Let me clarify a bit. Yes, the poor old guy goofed up and paid for it. No, the train crew couldn't do a damn thing about it.What makes me mad is this cavalier attitude, "he went around the gates so tough turds for him". Excuse me, we're not talking about some mangy dog chasing a car.WHITWORTH, EARL DARRYL, of Eureka, suddenly August 12, 2004, at age 82; beloved husband of Juanita Whitworth (nee Riley); dear father of Brenda (Lance) Loeffelman and the late Jimmy Whitworth; loving grandfather of Heather, Lance II, Courtney and Andrea Loeffelman; also survived by his devoted friends, Ted and Charlene Barklage.
Have a nice day!

--------------------------

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

I agree with you on this one.If it was some egotistical SOB that was too involved in himself to wait 2 minutes, I'd feel a bit less for him than this guy. Considering the victem's age, I'm pretty sure he knew of the dangers of railroads at least at one time. But he may have simply forgotten. Age can do that to a person.Perhaps the poor man shouldn't have been driving anymore. Elderly should stop driving when they can't do it safely. But to give up one's independence and have to rely on others for basic things can be difficult. If his family knew he was such a poor driver, they'll have to live with his death knowing they might have prevented it by taking his license away.It's easy to say, "they got what they deserve." But that is like saying the fine/penalty for trespassing past a gate should be the death penalty. Some of us trespass to take pictures quite often (hopefully safely). Should those of us that do, be subject to the death penalty if caught??

Mike F

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

LAST EDITED ON Aug-15-04 AT 00:21 AM (EST)

Thanks guys, I'll track down the OPP email address and send them the photo.
Bet the Jack @$$ won't be expecting a ticket to arrive in the mail!
Maybe next time he will not chance it, even if the train was doing 5 mph... VIA #1 could be highballing on the main line at 80MPH the next time he tries to go around the gates again. And Bob, everyone is entitled to their OWN oppinion. No need to flame them! No one called you an idiot for feeling sorry for the guy...
Ben, if the gates are stuck down, there is usually a phone number on the crossing device somewhere, just call the number to alert the RR(might be RR police) and they will pass the info on to the signal department. Just be careful going around gates in that type of situation, because something might just end up coming!
Rob

TH&B Van #68
www.greatlakesrail.com

Check out my train photos!http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=472

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Sorry to get negative about this topic, but in our community the press labels it as "suicide by train". The reason being is that when there is one incident, very likely within several weeks there will be a couple more.Chuck F.

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

It is sad when ANYBODY loses their life. But no matter how tragic that this is, it must be understood that the person who went around the barriers by a choice of their own is ENTIRELY to blame for this incident. While the deceased may have been a good person, he made a mistake by deciding to go around those barriers and he unfortunately paid with his life. People need to use their common sense so that a tragedy like this won't happen again. Waiting a couple minutes at a RR crossing isn't worth gambling with your life for. My thoughts and prayers are with the train's crew, who must be feeling very distressed about all of this. They are the real victims here.

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

LAST EDITED ON Aug-15-04 AT 04:04 PM (EST)

I don't want to take anyone's side in this, but I have to agree here. It's not the train or the engineer's fault when a person doesn't use his/her common sense and goes infront of a train.All trains have authority when they go over an automobile's path, since it takes them about a mile or 2 to fully stop.-BeaverMon is no more, Ben D is here to stay-
-BETA Tester for the PO&N Route-

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Baldwinbob, I know what he wrote, and I know everyone goofs up. And YES!!!!!!! I do feel bad about a person dieing. And one day I will have to face this when I am part of a train crew But as I say this is no reason to attack any other members on the forum. It is there choice to think that let them do it, but do not tell anybody that they are an idiot. There was no reason for that. I know that the other person was harsh at what he was saying, but come'on if you do not like what the said, bie your lip and walk away.

Ding-Ding, chug-a-chug
Pennsylvania Railroad RULES!!!!

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Look i feel sorry for the train crew but i have a hard time feelin sorry for some whos death was only caused by their own stupidity.say a guy was runnin from the police and he crashed and dies as long as he didnt get any innocent people involved i would have no problem goin about my day because he deserved it. just my 2 cents

There's no replacement for dicplacement!!!
If it ain't rear-wheel-drive it's WRONG-wheel-drive!
Friggin'
Rear
End
Device

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

That, defentally would be the driver's fault(duh...of COURSE it would be his fault!!).-BeaverMon is no more, Ben D is here to stay-
-BETA Tester for the PO&N Route-

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

I have seen it many times here. There are easily 15+ crossings in my general area on 3 railroad line for 2 railroads (NS and B&LE). People go between gates on the K-O line on B&LE is especially stupid because everybody around here knows it is a heavy coal railroad and the K-O line has I believe a 40-50 speed limit. Are people really that stupid not to know that 3 SD40T-3s and 100+ loaded coal cars WONT stop for their little Honda Civic? I guess so.
I have also been in a situation with stuck gates. It happened on the Conrail Meadville line at the Warner Rd. crossing in Osgood PA (aka the village where 4 rail lines cross on 3 levels.) We waited for about 2 minutes, turned around and went back home, called Conrail and reported it.
Its unfortunte that people have to die because of something very stupid they did that they could have prevented. (Why an 83 year old would be in a hurry is beyond me). There is always one image that I just cant get out of my mind when I talk about this crap. It was on one of those train wreck documentaries on TV. There was a boy and probably his older sister. I believe this was at a BN station with the E8's or whatever BN had for passenger service. Anyway the sister grabbed her brothers hand and ran across the tracks just feet in front of the train and, to make a sad story short, the sister made it but the brother didnt. That is an incident that I really feel for that boy because he didnt choose to go across, his sister pulled him across.

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

>Ben, if the gates are stuck down, there is usually a phone
>number on the crossing device somewhere, just call the
>number to alert the RR(might be RR police) and they will
>pass the info on to the signal department. Just be careful
>going around gates in that type of situation, because
>something might just end up coming! The only problem is the phone or phone number may be on the other side of the tracks - if there is one. I often wait around near a crossing in Whitby (Ontario) which has 3 tracks of CN rai and 2 tracks of GO-Train. The signal cabin on the south side (CN side) has a phone number posted (an 800 number to CN-Police), as well as precise location information (sub, milage, street name, etc). There is a signal cabin on the north side (GO-Train side - and GO is CN-Operated here) which has no information on it. For those who know the area, I'm writing about Blair Street South.Not may kilometers away, CP crosses Hopkins street at a level crossing - 2 tracks (one recently added - you may have seen my pictures last year). There's no posted information that I can find (at least not last time I looked for it).
I would also like to add that while there are some stupid or careless people around, there are others who are meticulous. While hanging out at the Blair St crossing, I see a lot of trucks go by. Most of those drivers can be seen checking the track in both directions, and most slow down before crossing.John

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

They've got a very dangerous situation down in Florida right now after Hurricane Charley, in regards to RR Xrossings and intersections in general. With the power off, I've seen people just blow through Xrossings without even slowing down and looking to see if a train is coming. Same thing at road intersections, where traffic signals are out. It's like they forgot the traffic laws when signals are out. There has been a number of accidents down there because of this. If power continues to be out it's just a matter of time there will be a RR Xrossing accident if this continues, especially at night where you won't see the Xrossing til the last minute. A number of counties have issued curfews at night because of this and other road hazards. Please honor them. The law states when power is out, you must treat a intersection with signals out as a normal 4 way stop sign. You must also stop and proceed with caution at RR Crossings. At night that is difficult to do since with the limited light, hazards come at you pretty fast. That is the reason for the curfews. If you must drive at night, please be on the lookout for the side RR Xrossing warning sign on the side of the road, and the painted signs on the road itself prior to the Xrossing. I was down in Poinciana in Polk County during the storm (I was lucky my new house (Which I just closed on last month) made it pretty well, only a few shingles missing. Others weren't so lucky. I've seen, complete loss of roof singles to a few Roof collapes. We were in the direct path of the storm and suffered winds 110-115MPH as well as a couple of Tornados.) , and it looks like Power will be out for a while down there, as the Kissimmee Distribution Grid which serves Kissimmee and Poinciana got destroyed, and have to be rebuilt. So everyone please drive carefully and be safe!!

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

I'll agree with this statement:
"With the power off, I've seen people just blow through Xrossings without even slowing down and looking to see if a train is coming. Same thing at road intersections, where traffic signals are out. It's like they forgot the traffic laws when signals are out."
People are ignorant if they need to have lights to tell them what to do. They should have to remember basic laws. I just got my licence, and I thank heaven that I read things like this. I definately know to use basic traffic skills when power is off, like stoping at an intersection when the light are off and to stop and look both ways when crossing the tracks. Heck, railfan intuition, i stop and look both ways anyway.

Alert | IP

[ Home | MSTS Forum | MSTS FAQ | How To... | File Library ] Copyright © 2004 by Nels Anderson. All Rights Reserved.