Train strikes San Luis Obispo woman

February 7, 2015

high speed railAn Amtrak passenger train collided with a woman in San Luis Obispo Friday evening, leaving her in critical condition.

Shortly after 8 p.m., the northbound train struck the woman about a half-mile south of Orcutt Road, according to the San Luis Obispo Police Department. Emergency responders treated the victim at the scene before transporting her to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center.

The Amtrak engineer said the woman was walking with a man, one of whom was pushing a bicycle, as the train approached.

The man evaded the train and ran away, but later returned to the scene. He identified himself as Scott Moore.

Moore said he was returning from the Marigold Shopping Center and about to cross the tracks when he ran into the woman, who had a bicycle with her. She warned him the train was coming, and it whizzed by him.

Both the woman and Moore are homeless and have lived in the area for years, Moore said. After the accident, he ran into the nearby mobile home of a friend, who told him to go back and talk to police.

The collision did not injure any passengers on the train, according to the police department. Traffic on the rails stopped for about 90 minutes as police and railroad investigators examined the scene.

Police are not yet releasing the name of the victim.


Loading...
29 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Slanders says, “these two fools in question were both DEAF” and says I’m “ignorant to actual FACTS” for saying walking on tracks is dangerous because you may not hear a train coming from behind you.


Here’s multiple links to the very same site Dick Slanders uses as a source (in a post below) — Operation Lifesaver:


“Trains can come from either direction at any time and can be very quiet.”

[http://oli.org/about-us/passenger-rail-safety/passenger-rail-safety-tips/]


* * *


“True or False? Trains are very noisy, so you will be able to hear them coming.

FALSE. You should look as well as listen.”

[http://oli.org/documents/longestrrintownearlnew.pdf]


* * *


“7. Trains are noisy. You will have plenty of time to step out of the train’s path when you hear a train coming.

FALSE. Modern trains are quieter than ever, with no telltale “clicketyclack.” [Ribbon-rail replacing old joint-rail] An approachnig train may be closer and moving faster than it appears.”

[http://oli.org/education-materials/file/myths-or-realities-pedestrian-safety-around-tracks-trains]


* * *


“DO NOT rely on your hearing to tell you if a train is coming. Railroad trains are

very quiet.”

[http://oli.org/documents/websiteactivities.pdf]


* * *


Bite me, Slanders.


Kevin Rice,


I never said the two in question were deaf, I said that the only way they could get hit is if they WERE DEAF under the outlined circumstances that prevailed that day.


“ …..the only way an Amtrak train with overly loud General Electric Power units, and a very loud continuous blaring horn in this situation can sneak up on any person, is for that person to be DEAF!”


“ Unless these two fools in question were both DEAF, then your erroneous and ever so wanting uneducated statements are for entertainment purposes only.”


“You still don’t understand the concept of; UNDER THIS ACCIDENT’S SITUATION, ….”


“Your aforementioned situations listed to Justbeware DO NOT relate to this particular SITUATIONAL accident because of the facts for that day, railroading rules, and location. Understand?”


You are speaking in generalizations, I am speaking for that particular day with the known facts as I’ve described in this thread.


Your reading comprehension skills go wanting terribly, so I took it upon myself to make you aware that Cuesta College is have a “Reading Comprehension” class in the Spring. The information of this class is listed below for your convenience.


Cuesta College, Spring classes

ACSK 032- READING COMPREHENSION (Formerly ACASK32)

Designed for students who have difficulty understanding and remembering what they read. (Repeatable 2)


Good night.


The woman stood there unflinching for over 5 seconds while the engineer blew the whistle. I saw the video that is on the front of the locomotive. She stood there with her bike while the guy ran off. Nobody was walking or pushing a bike like one article said. Needles and heroin were found inside of her backpack. These are all facts. Trains are quiet but not when they sound the horn and ring the bell. This was definitely not a case of “not enough time to get out of the way.” Engineers drive trains, conductors take tickets on Amtrak. Stand at Orcutt Rd crossing next time a train goes through and tell me if you can’t hear the whistle.


Perhaps it was intentional?


Rail cars and trains cannot stop like a car, most conductors realized that if anything is in the pathway, no matter what they do, it is doomed to collision!

Taxpayers and consumers will have to fork out the expenses for fences and security!


I think the driver swerved to hit a bicyclist.


People are responsible for where they walk. This was an accident where the responsible party is the woman.


No they are not. This woman deserves a settlement from Union Pacific as large as the family of the KSBY employee who walked into traffic looking at a cell phone. There is no difference other than the entity that is the “deep pocket” in this case.


How can someone NOT hear a train coming, or not feel the earth rumbling as something that big approaches?


VERY VERY EASILY. You clearly have NO IDEA how quiet a train can roll on steel track, especially in the rain when sound is muted and when you are distracted by conversation our thought. Don’t believe it? Even with all the proof? Well, all I can say is don’t try it. You will get the surprise of your LIFE.


As kids we lived a stone’s throw from train tracks and played on or near them almost every day. We crossed countless times a day on our way to build forts, shoot BB guns, etc.

For at least 10 years we never had a problem, even as youngsters.


Sure. Bet you looked both ways. So, was it joint rail or ribbon rail by your house? Any curves which cause wheel squealing? Nearby grade crossings where horns are sounded? Hills or topography to reflect sound? Frequent passenger service or freight?


Everyone thinks they “know” from experience or gut. They are wrong. How do you explain people getting hit all the time in the news? Smart people, too, like cops looking for evidence in Anaheim.


Everyone thinks they know. But under the right conditions, with new ribbon rail, quiet passenger trains, straight stretches, open topography, rain or fog dampening sound, double track (a huge killer), distractions and twilight or darkness and you would be shocked to learn you won’t hear it coming.


Idiots will proclaim this girl was deaf, dumb, or drunk. Then there will be another one next year and the same idiots will say the same. I’ve spent hundreds of hours around the rails and made my share of stupid mistakes, including this one. One moment of stupid can lead to a lifetime of misery. I watched a mother place her baby on a coupling of a live string while she crossed under. I’ve seen people thrown off cars.


Don’t presume you can’t miss a train coming. You can. Many people ate dead who presumed.


Don’t presume you can’t miss a train coming. You can. Many people ate dead who presumed.


You got to be really stupid or from another planet when there are train tracks and guard rails come down to not be clued that a train is possibly coming.

There are not many only a few immature who died due to their brains being the size of a marble or pebble.


She didn’t miss the train coming.

She warned the man walking with her.


This is not a case of a train sneaking up on someone.

This is a case of someone who’s not bright enough to understand they will not fare well in a train vs human clash.


You’re simply wrong. Her last-second realization gave her enough time to yell it out, but not enough time to move out of the way. It absolutely came upon her, and I bet if we get a statement out of her in the future that’s exactly what she’ll say.


You’re a moron. There was no grade crossing at the location.


Kevin,


Again, you remain ignorant to actual FACTS!


The section of track where this accident happened is straight rail. The engineer was able to see them from a far off distance, and by the rules of railroading, the engineer is blaring his horn for a long time in the hopes of these fools to get out of the way.


The engineer also probably went into an emergency brake application as well to help stop the train in case these two fools didn’t get out of the way, which can possibly harm passengers because at times it can really be an abrupt stop!


Unless these two fools in question were both DEAF, then your erroneous and ever so wanting uneducated statements are for entertainment purposes only.


It’s really DICK SLANDERS, isn’t it.


You are a complete moron, devoid of knowledge. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you walk on the tracks. You have ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE how an Amtrak train can sneak up on you. Go try it. PLEASE!


Kevin Rice,


The alumni of CCN didn’t expect anything less from you than another sophomoric ad hominem attack to try in vain to save face from your continued ignorance to railroading and the rules thereof. Red herrings seem to be your food of choice while at CCN.


Don’t worry, I am not going to ask you the obvious question; in how you know with certainty that an Amtrak train can sneak up on someone like you proffer. By not asking you this question, I will probably save you further embarrassment. You can thank me later.


Once again for your future knowledge so as not to be blatantly ignorant again, the only way an Amtrak train with overly loud General Electric Power units, and a very loud continuous blaring horn in this situation can sneak up on any person, is for that person to be DEAF! If this person that is DEAF feels the ground shaking, then it’s probably too late.


Kevin, just accept the fact that you cannot be knowledgeable in all areas, and when doing so, you’ll have a lot less embarrassment to contend with, okay?


Have you thought of taking over for Brian Williams since you two have the same erroneous attributes? Think about it.


You’re a completely moronic sanctimonious prick, Dick. And you’re wrong.


Kevin,


Once again, you don’t have enough sense to feel embarrassed over your feeble ad hominem childish attacks. You still don’t understand the concept of; UNDER THIS ACCIDENT’S SITUATION, get it? Huh? Maybe just a little bit? Yes?


Your aforementioned situations listed to Justbeware DO NOT relate to this particular SITUATIONAL accident because of the facts for that day, railroading rules, and location. Understand?


You cannot legislate “stupid” out of people, and I am sure it will happen again where idiots use the railroad right-of-way as their walk way.


Now, don’t let us down, PLEASE TAKE THE LAST WORD In our conversation so as to show you taking one last gasp in yet another vain attempt to save face. Thank you.


Good day.


Both of you, Enough already.


The last word in this article’s comments is no longer available.


Both of you, Enough already.


Please cite chapter and verse as per usual.


Federal Railroad Adminstration Train Horn Rules

“Train horns may still be used in emergency situations or to comply with other Federal regulations or railroad operating rules”

http://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0104


Emergency Brake Applications on trains

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_brake_(train)


FRA Operation LifeSaver, Pedestrian Safety

http://oli.org/education-resources/pedestrian-safety


FRA Rail Trespasser Links

http://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0614

http://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0617


My Mama used to tell me a story,

about a little dog that didn’t see or hear too well.

One day, he went down to the railroad track,

when a train cut off part of his tail.

He turned around and didn’t look up, when his head

crossed the rail.

You know, that dog lost his whole dang head,

Lookin’ for a little piece of tail !


Yikes, that explains a lot.


She was high on heroin. The train blared its horn long enough for even the most doped out junkie to step out of the way. She was standing on the edge of the ties and perhaps thought she was going to be in the clear. She was wrong. Amtrak should allow the public to see the video. Every locomotive that Amtrak operates has a forward facing camera. It’s for liability issues. Keeps scumbag lawyers and fools that think it was the railroads fault that people get hit by trains. Yes, trains can be quiet, but not when the whistle is loud enough to make your ears bleed.


“Moore said he was returning from the Marigold Shopping Center and about to cross the tracks when he ran into the woman, who had a bicycle with her. She warned him the train was coming, and it whizzed by him.”


Stupid is what stupid does.