TX - Four dead, 17 injured as train strikes wounded veterans parade float in Midland

[jjenny]

Since train can not stop quickly, waving a truck onto the tracks, despite the fact that the train was coming, would be beyond stupid-but there appears to be no evidence of this happening.

 

[Tuffy]

Since train can not stop quickly, waving a truck onto the tracks, despite the fact that the train was coming, would be beyond stupid-but there appears to be no evidence of this happening.

...or just because someone waves you on, it would be beyond stupid to proceed onto the tracks when a train is coming.

 

[danzn16]

...or just because someone waves you on, it would be beyond stupid to proceed onto the tracks when a train is coming.

Oh definitely. But I could see how focusing on a traffic director could move your attention off of the tracks and would make this a little more understandable. However I still don't understand going across the tracks 7 seconds after lights and bell alarms even with a traffic director!!

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

I wonder if this was a full fledged parade with marching bands, etc. That could have caused the noise from the bells to be drowned out? And maybe the person who possibly waved the truck across had his back to the oncoming train and didn't see it coming?I don't know....I need to go back and read through the original articles.

Lord I feel so awful for the driver of the truck and the person who might have waved them thru...

 

[Truthwillsetufree]

This was a horrific accident and this tragedy has affected the whole community.
It has been mentioned in previous posts that "someone" waved the truck on through. I have not read this anywhere. There was, however, a policeman in his vehicle, behind the truck, as were other friends and family that were following the truck/float to the end destination.

From my understanding, all the Veterans in the parade were injured Vets and were being honored with a banquet and a trip to go hunting. Several of the Veterans were in wheelchairs and they were placed at the back of the float, sitting next to their wives.

There are no curves, trees, obstacles to interfere with the sight of an oncoming train at this location. It is flat land as far as the eye can see.

There is a slight incline when approaching the actual train tracks. This intersection is a heavy use intersection. You will notice it also has traffic lights as well.

Trains are not allowed to blow their horns in town anymore because a local, downtown hotel complained about the noise.

Trains are allowed to travel 70 mph through town. Cars, however, are allowed to go 40 mph, on the street adjacent to the track.

 

[Truthwillsetufree]

 

[Truthwillsetufree]

This is the intersection....
Note , that once one is in the lane to go over the tracks (next to the XX) there is a concrete barrier with steel posts sticking up out of it. This was put in place a few years ago because people would try to swerve in between the crossing arms to "beat" the oncoming train. These barriers (IMO) also trap you in, there is no place to go....

 

[Truthwillsetufree]

The reenactment...

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Another thing I've wondered about....how did the truck and trailer remain intact after such an impact? I would have expected it to have been torn apart but it looks in fairly decent shape and upright in the photo at this link.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...s-parade-float-carrying-wounded-veterans.html

I've always been fearful of train crossings but I am extremely cautious of them now.....how terrifying to look up and see a train coming at you....

 

[Truthwillsetufree]

This photo appears to be taken from the viewpoint of a participant in the parade...with that being the case, it stands to reason that traffic ( a high traffic intersection, especially at 4:20pm) going east to west would have to be stopped and this is usually done by deputies or the city of Midland police department. So, in actuality, this truck driver may have been waved on through by a person in authority and thought the bells and flashing lights were part of the parade, just have not seen reports on the truck being waved on through.

 

[Truthwillsetufree]

Another thing I've wondered about....how did the truck and trailer remain intact after such an impact? I would have expected it to have been torn apart but it looks in fairly decent shape and upright in the photo at this link.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...s-parade-float-carrying-wounded-veterans.html

I've always been fearful of train crossings but I am extremely cautious of them now.....how terrifying to look up and see a train coming at you....

I too am amazed that it wasn't more damaged. I'm no expert but my thought is this...the train hit the back of the flatbed/float and spun it around. The impact threw people off the float an into harms way. If the train had hit dead center of the flatbed, I do believe, if it's possible, that the tragedy would be worse than it was.

I too, have always been fearful of trains and been laughed at, mocked and teased because I will not stop anywhere close to the tracks. I have a fear of being hit from behind and pushed into the train.

 

[redheadedgal]

i can't see how anyone would believe activated x-ing lights/bells as being "part of a parade"... nor can i see someone waving a vehicle through but not watching as they're doing so...

the waved through comments were on a midland tv station's fb page... it's possible those who thought the truck was waved through were mistaken? like others, i haven't seen it in msm reports. would that be something investigators don't publicize? to try to keep blame off police? it makes sense that's why the driver went through...



close call video... Car gets stuck between Railroad crossing barriers - Video

 

[jjenny]

Another thing I've wondered about....how did the truck and trailer remain intact after such an impact? I would have expected it to have been torn apart but it looks in fairly decent shape and upright in the photo at this link.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...s-parade-float-carrying-wounded-veterans.html

I've always been fearful of train crossings but I am extremely cautious of them now.....how terrifying to look up and see a train coming at you....

Where is the image of the truck after the impact? The one with people sitting on the bed is clearly before the impact.

 

[jjenny]

i can't see how anyone would believe activated x-ing lights/bells as being "part of a parade"... nor can i see someone waving a vehicle through but not watching as they're doing so...

the waved through comments were on a midland tv station's fb page... it's possible those who thought the truck was waved through were mistake? like others, i haven't seen it in msm reports. would that be something investigators don't publicize? to try to keep blame off police? it makes sense that's why the driver went through...



close call video... Car gets stuck between Railroad crossing barriers - Video

That video is crazy. I would be breaking the barrier if I were the driver at that point.
I also don't see why anyone in their right mind would think flashing railroad lights are apart of the parade.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Where is the image of the truck after the impact? The one with people sitting on the bed is clearly before the impact.

Quite a ways down the page - almost to the end. Sorry I don't know how to post a photo or I would have.

 

[jjenny]

Quite a ways down the page - almost to the end. Sorry I don't know how to post a photo or I would have.

There were at least two of the trucks. So we really don't know what we are looking at. That image could be of a truck that was not hit.

 

[Truthwillsetufree]

This is the truck after impact with the train. It is sitting on the south side of the tracks.

 

[Truthwillsetufree]

After impact and victims transported to hospital.

 

[Truthwillsetufree]

Another view

 

[Truthwillsetufree]

The trailer after impact