PA - Amtrak train from Washington crashes in Philadelphia, May 2015

[LaLaw2000]

The engineer should have sounded the horn, emergency brakes, and everything else at his disposal if he maybe saw an obstruction on the tracks or he knew there was a mechanical malfunction. Get on the radio, phone or whatever first thing!

I do not recall even the first passengers interviewed ever saying anything about a horn. Just that they heard what sounded like a bunch of grocery carts crashing together. One woman said a red suitcase came flying toward her.

(no link because it was on TV)

 

[corundogs]

NTSB Presser starting now

 

[corundogs]

CNN just mentioned Michigan native Rachael Jacobs who is missing following the train wreck. I posted a local news item about Ms. Jacobs earlier in this thread (#135). My thoughts and prayers are with her family and those of everyone who was injured or died as a result of this tragic event.

How can someone still be missing?

 

[corundogs]

106 MPH when emergency breaks engaged

 

[Bravo]

Engineer applied full brakes. Was at 106 MPH when brakes applied. Prelim indicates. Recorders being sent for analyzing.

 

[Bravo]

How can someone still be missing?

I wonder if perhaps person/s was in the mangled car and just has not been identified yet?

 

[Bravo]

NTSB-likely another presser tomorrow around the same time

 

[corundogs]

I just don't understand how you can be going that fast...there MUST be a major difference between 50 and 100 MPH, right? In the way the train feels and reacts.

 

[Inthedetails]

Engineer applied full brakes. Was at 106 MPH when brakes applied. Prelim indicates. Recorders being sent for analyzing.

FYI: [Antrak] is the nation's only high speed intercity passenger rail provider, operating at a top speed of 150 mph (241 kph). More than half of its trains operate at top speeds of 100 mph (160 kph) or greater."
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=am/Layout&cid=1246041980246

 

[trigger]

How can someone still be missing?

I question that also then realized the missing could be under the train.

 

[jjenny]

I just don't understand how you can be going that fast...there MUST be a major difference between 50 and 100 MPH, right? In the way the train feels and reacts.

I don't either. Did the engineer fell asleep?

 

[corundogs]

I question that also then realized the missing could be under the train.

Reports say they have had dogs out there. They have to know!!! My heart breaks for those loved ones who are left in the dark!

 

[Bravo]

Correct me if i mis heard but it sounded like the device that slows the train is on/in the tracks and not on the train itself. NTSB stated unfortunately this section did not have this safety device. If they had it this accident would not have happened. Has been mandated but not yet everywhere. Rut Roh lawsuits!!!

 

[corundogs]

I don't either. Did the engineer fell asleep?

He (I assume he?) left a station approximately 10 miles before the accident. That cannot take very long, especially considering the speed he was obviously traveling!

Unless there was some underlying health issue, I just don't see how he could have fallen asleep in that short of a period of time.

 

[Zuri]

Advanced Civil Speed Enhancement (Posi Control System to keep train below its maximum speed). Was not installed in this section of track. Congress has mandated? that this be installed on all tracks. Per NTSB dude on presser

 

[corundogs]

New info from Presser

Speed limit before the curve is 80.

SO WTF kind of excuse could there be for that speed?

 

[LaLaw2000]

I don't either. Did the engineer fell asleep?

That quickly? In 11 minutes?

 

[Inthedetails]

I don't either. Did the engineer fell asleep?

I really think he somehow thought he was on a straight stretch and "forgot" about the curve or thought he passed it. Either that or he was completely distracted and I HATE to think that someone in charge of a train full of people would be texting. I really, really do not want to hear that. I'm holding out hope that is was some freak mechanical accident.

 

[Elley Mae]

Robert Sumwalt, a safety board member, said during a news conference that the train was traveling 106 m.p.h. when the brakes were applied. The engineer, he said, put the train into “emergency braking” just seconds before the crash.


http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/14/us/amtrak-train-derails-crash-philadelphia.html?_r=0

bbm

 

[Zuri]

As I watched the area hospitals prepare to receive the injured last night, one of the reporters was at Jefferson. You could see the ER personnel lined up outside. There were no ambulances arriving at that time, as most of the patients had gone to Temple and Hahnemann Hospitals. That sight reminded me of the ER staff at St. Vincent's on 9/11...Waiting and no one came...

When I worked ER, we practiced disaster drills. Thankfully, I never experienced one. Bless all those health care workers taking care of the victims.