Truly a miracle that driver survived. No mention of the train crew. Hopefully they are well. Except for emotional scars. Quite obviously the truck driver at fault. Boxcab E50
It's not fully clear to me that was the case. The truck was stopped for a traffic light and probably wasn't aware that his back end wasn't clear of the track. As far as I can tell, the only thing the trucker could have done differently would have been to run the red light. This is pretty similar to that school bus that got whacked in Fox River Grove IL a few years back.
Speaking as someone who has driven truck, what I was taught is that if there is any doubt, stop ahead of the tracks and wait until certain there is clearance. Then cross. You had to know your length. Boxcab E50
I saw the whole thing i was right in front of Amtrak and before i could get on the radio to warn him it happened here our some pictures i took from the accident go to this web site.That truck driver was an idiot he didn't even know he was hit by Amtrak 59 untill someone went and made him get out the train hit the truck at about 10mph it just pushed the trailer onto the vehicle. http://forums.railfan.net/forums.cgi?board=Safety;action=display;num=1055891968 [ 22. July 2003, 01:17: Message edited by: Matt Marderosian ]
Matt, Welcome to the friendly rails of Trainboard. That must have been a traumatic experience. Even though no one was seriously hurt, just the thought of what could have happened shakes me. Thanks for the link to you excellent pictures.
I will say this the guy made an IDIOT out of himself on tv he had a smile when he said the train hit him This happend on July 16 2003 Amtrak #1 hit a pick up truck today 2 miles east of the Lafayette LA station today i was talking with the outbound engineer when the emergency radio call came in we went down there lucky no one was injured the engine # 46 it took off the ladder off on the engineer side and cut a hole in the air line to the engine bell. This grade crossing had a stop sighn and the track is straight and nothing blocking the view of an oncoming train. http://www.klfy.com/Global/story.asp?S=1363862 [ 22. July 2003, 04:25: Message edited by: Matt Marderosian ]
I see a lot of dumb things that people do at grade crossings i have not been involved in an accident yet but i know it will happen.It is just a shame that these people can't wait an extra minute or two for the train to pass.
Here is the Newspaper story from the Hammond accident click below.I am going to warn you that this Mr Pines attacks RR workers he has called us low lifes because we kill people he posts in the opinions. http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=8388878&BRD=1423&PAG=461&dept_id=169546&rfi=6 Here is one more story to check out. http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=8626601&BRD=1569&PAG=461&dept_id=180945&rfi=6 [ 22. July 2003, 17:22: Message edited by: Matt Marderosian ]
That's amazing that people could blame the railroads for their own negligent driving. Mr. Pines states that we the tax payers pay for railroad crossings. Is that true? It seems to me that the railroads have to pay for everything themselves, as opposed to the truckers who pay relatively little in taxes for the roads they drive on.
The way i understand it is when the crossings first go in the states pay for it but after that it is up to the RR to maintain it because the Department of Transportation makes the call on what crossings get what protection. All the money comes from the Feds.
The way i understand it is when the crossings first go in the states pay for it but after that it is up to the RR to maintain it because the Department of Transportation makes the call on what crossings get what protection it all the money comes from the Feds.