On the Harlem Line near Valhalla.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/02/04/at-least-12-hurt-after-ny-commuter-train-hits-car-report-says/
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/02/04/at-least-12-hurt-after-ny-commuter-train-hits-car-report-says/
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Unfortunate accident and grade crossing collisions are all too common in the US. Drivers often do foolish things. But had this been a freight train collision it is highly likely only the SUV driver would have died. These metro cars are not designed for grade crossing collisions. There are no locomotives and not much between the point of impact and the metro operators and passengers in the lead car. These trains have no buffer to protect people in the front car, unlike a freight or passenger locomotive. Push/pull operations are also a hazard when operating in the push mode. These operations should probably not be allowed in areas where grade crossings are present. I've seen videos where a push/pull train collided with a loaded semi. Fortunately, the engine was in the lead. Though the semi was destroyed and the engine had heavy damage there were no deaths or serious injuries. Had they been in push mode with a lead car load of passengers the result would have been much different.
I heard about this... Sad.
Why did the lady go forward? That's what I can't figure out.
John
I heard about this... Sad. Why did the lady go forward? That's what I can't figure out.
John
Hi everybody.
First of all can I express my online condolences to the families and friends of all those killed in this incident and my sympathy to all those who suffered injury and distress in this same incident
John, in my experience being involved in industrial safety in the British road haulage industry (trucking), no one can predict how any one person is going to react under conditions of sudden severe stress. No two incidents are ever exactly the same, just as no two persons in this world are ever created the same.
According to witness reports the crossing barrier came down on top of the car which was stationary. The female driver left the vehicle briefly to inspect what had happened before re-entering the vehicle and moving forward into the path of the oncoming train. The most likely explanation would be that in her distressed state she engaged the wrong gear/drive and moved forward rather than reverse which caused the accident.
The exact reasons for her actions will most likely never be known as she died in the accident. As usual in incidents such as this, the accident investigating team will have much to look at before any conclusions and liabilities can be brought forward.
It has been stated that the investigation could take over a year to come to its full conclusions. However, that would not be unusual given the number of victims coupled to the complexity of establishing the exact cause and extent of injuries sustained to each casualty of the accident whether they are deceased or injured.
Speculation is best withheld at this stage until at least the preliminary report is available.
Bill.