Be Careful out there at RR crossings!

[UGetPaid]

A local street was closed down yesterday sfternoon at a RR crossing and the newdpaper reported that a pedestrian was killed at that crossing. Early this morning the story was updated to report a 15 year old boy was on his bike waiting at the crossing as the gates were down. The train passed by and as is normal, the gates did not immediately rise. Eyewitnesses waiting in stopped cars say the boy started through the crossing after the train cleared the area, but before the gates rose as was immediately hit by the train arriving from the opposite direction which was visually obscured by the first train.

Be safe out there at RR crossings, people. If the gates are down, STAY PUT! It's not worth losing a life over.  And even if this is something you would never do yourself, TALK TO YOUR KIDS about it!

[crisstar]

A couple of years ago a mom was at a crossing with her child in a stroller and apparently seen and heard the train and the arms were down but decided to take a chance and cross anyway.

As the train approached the baby's stroller got stuck on the rails and she had a hard time getting the stroller's wheels out. As the train was literally upon them, she managed to free the baby at the last minute and apparently push the child to safety but she got struck and killed by the train.

This woman not only put her self in danger, but her child too. Unfortunately she came out on the losing in and her child no longer has a mother.

Incidents like what you described and what I described happen all the time because people fail to exercise good judgment. So sad :-(

[braggin]

Our town has averaged about 1 death per year at our downtown RR crossing. There is often some malfunction of the gates going on. I agree that RR crossings are pretty darn dangerous.

[countrygirl12]

So he should not have went around the bars that were clearly down for a reason.  People are stupid.  I saw an ad on tv earlier today showing a coke can bouncing down the road and a car comes along and squashes it.  Then it says "a train hitting your car is the same thing - don't chance it".  I know people who make a game out of it and dart in front of the trains all the time.  Or people who stand on the tracks and jump off at the last minute.  It's foolish.  There is nothing so important that you can't sit there 2 minutes and wait for the train to pass.  If you are late then you should have left home earlier.

[vp44]

Such a sad story. It is always wise to wait for the gates to clear the path never assume there is only one train.

[debidoo]

Wow that is tragic but excellent advise.  If a crossing guard is down there is a good reason for it and yes it is something for adults to be wary of AND to advise their children about when they are out and about walking or on bikes.  Good post.

[makeblessed]

Yes the signs are put down for a reason, to keep you safe!! it is not worst it to try and see if you can make it across anything can happen, life is to precious to gamble with like that, so yes BE Careful and obey the signs.

[cathy37]

That is so sad.  We have several train tracks in my town.  As a matter of fact you cannot enter or leave my town without crossing a railroad track. 

[Liquidfire_43]

It's not worth risking your life/health to quickly cross something. I see so many close traffic accidents because someone couldn't wait driving to somewhere... The only Railroad crossing closed down in my area.. The path to the train station was cutoff and unused

[natashaspy]

That's so sad!!!! Sending prayers out to the family and friends!