Train-car accident kills one

We got it funded and it's not going to cost us a dime, but I knew something like this was going to happen before they got it done. It's a shame it takes a tragedy to get anybody to move on anything. A train-car accident claimed the life of a West Frankfort man Sunday night. Emergency personnel at the scene said the vehicle, driven by Harry Yates, was struck by a train at the Oak Street crossing and was ... via Southern Illinoisan

[daver852]

This crossing was an accident waiting to happen. Where else can you find railroad crossing on a busy street in the middle of town with no gate and no warning lights? It is impossible to see an approaching train at this crossing because the view is obstructed by a warehouse built by lumbar yard right next to th tracks, and the engineers on the trains that run through town at high speeds (40 mph or more) do not blow their whistles as they are supposed to do. This was a needless death.

[Momof3]

Trains have black boxes just as planes do. Trains cannot speed or if the whisles are not blown as required the crews would be reprimanded.The black boxes are downloaded periodically. Crew management watches this very closely. This death is a tragedy, but a reminder to stop at this kind of crossing. Loaded trains are unable to stop immediately. It seems whenever there is a death,the crews are the first to be blamed. With today's technology and gps systems, trains are monitored constantly. I hope a crossing with lights in more towns are put into place. This is monitored not by the railroads,but the Illinois Commerce Commission.

[Newbie]

Just curious but if I remember, this gentelman was elderly. Correct? Couldnt this have played a HUGE part in the accident?

[nobody]

And that crossing just appeared there overnight. That crossing may be hard to see around, but we all know it is there. I was always taught to look before I cross a track. Lets not make such a big deal out of someone not paying attention. All the fuss that was made about that crossing, cost the state, and possibly the city alot of money!

[Newcomer]

Jester wrote:

Well one thing we know for certain: That old bastard will never drive in front of a train again.
:-)

That remark is totally uncalled for, you ought to be ashamed.

[Jester]

Newcomer wrote:

<quoted text> That remark is totally uncalled for, you ought to be ashamed.

But you can't dispute it.