Gigantic Train Crash in Glendale, CA (WDI)

F

FamilyMan

Account Suspended
Original Poster
I know Imagineers take the train to work...

GLENDALE, Calif. Jan 26, 2005 — A Metrolink train crashed into an SUV that was apparently parked on the tracks Wednesday, derailing and sideswiping another commuter train, authorities said. Nine people were killed and more than 100 others injured.

As the first Metrolink train derailed before dawn, it sideswiped an oncoming train, scattering railcars and sending passengers tumbling down the aisles, authorities said.

Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca said authorities were speaking with the driver of the vehicle and believe it was intentionally parked on the tracks.

"It didn't appear that the vehicle had stalled," Baca said. "It appears that it was deliberately placed there."


The exact circumstances of the crash were still under investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board was sending investigators.

Firefighters picked through twisted wreckage and carried wounded passengers from the trains to a triage center set up in a nearby parking lot.

"At this time, we believe we have nine fatalities," Fire Chief William Battmare said. More than 100 people were taken to hospitals, he said.

One commuter train was headed from Los Angeles' Union Station to downtown Burbank, and the other was bound to Union Station from Moorpark, Metrolink officials said.

"I heard a noise. It got louder and louder," said passenger Diane Brady, 56, of Simi Valley. "And next thing I knew the train tilted, everyone was screaming and I held onto a pole for dear life. I held on for what seemed like a week and a half, it seemed. It was a complete nightmare."

In a light rain, firefighters climbed ladders into windows of a battered train tipped onto its side.

Nearly 300 firefighters were at the scene in the suburb north of Los Angeles and 35 ambulances were taking injured passengers to hospitals, officials said.

Dazed passengers, some limping, gathered at tables in a nearby store, while the injured sprawled on color-coded mats in the parking lot: red for those with severe injuries, green for those less seriously harmed.

One of the dead passengers was identified as a 23-year veteran of Baca's department, Sheriff's Deputy James Tutino.

As the cars tumbled off the tracks, one of the Metrolink trains struck a parked Union Pacific car, tipping it onto its side, said Kathryn Blackwell, a railroad spokeswoman in Omaha, Neb.

One Metrolink car was sent twisting backward by the force of the crash, which occurred after 6 a.m. A small fire erupted, and smoke could be seen wafting from the wreckage.

George Touma, 19, of Burbank, said he was called by his mother, who was on one of the Metrolink trains.

"She told me she was bleeding in the head and her arm was really hurting," said Touma, who was searching for her. "I'm really worried because she has vertigo and when I tried to call back she wouldn't answer." He said she told him of hearing "sequential loud noises and then somebody pulled her out of the train while it was burning."

Metrolink began service in 1992 and operates seven lines, part of a multibillion-dollar transportation network aimed at reducing pollution and congestion in Southern California.



On the Net:

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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ogryn

ogryn

Well-Known Member
From BBCi

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WDWScottieBoy

WDWScottieBoy

Well-Known Member
I feel really bad about all this. I'm sorry to see it happen, and what makes it worse is that the guy did it on purpose. It makes me wonder at times, when I think my life is bad (at times), what is so wrong with these people's lives that they have to take it away.

God Bless each and every one of them!
 
TRITON4ME

TRITON4ME

Account Suspended
WDWScottieBoy said:
I feel really bad about all this. I'm sorry to see it happen, and what makes it worse is that the guy did it on purpose. It makes me wonder at times, when I think my life is bad (at times), what is so wrong with these people's lives that they have to take it away.

God Bless each and every one of them!
Click to expand...

I agree. It just doesn't make sense to take your own life and also at the same time put others at risk.

TO EVERYONE: Sometimes we as a society have to realize that there are people out there that do contemplate taking their own life for one reason or another. Sometimes it is because of the stress of daily life, and sometimes it is for other, more personal, reasons. But just remember: no matter how bad you think things have gotten nothing is worse than giving up and taking your life! My age group 18-25 years is at the highest risk for suicide and that really scares me! It is so hard for me to just even try to fathom why someone would do such a thing. I mean I have been faced with some pretty awful situations but never, not once, did I ever consider "giving up" and throwing my life away. Just remember, you only get to live once and every day is to be cherished as a gift and there will be good times and bad times but that is what life is all about.

Thanks for your time and have a magical day!
 
T

TURKEY

New Member
Metrolink Train Accident Update


01/26/2005 -

As far as we know, no Disney employees are among the 10 people who died in this morning's Metrolink train accident in Glendale. At least three Disney employees were injured. One was treated at the scene, and the other two were transported to hospitals. As we learn more about the status of Disney employees, we will provide updates.
 
imagineer boy

imagineer boy

Well-Known Member
That guy who is responsible for this mess is an idiot! Commiting Suicide is bad enough already, but doing it in a way that will kill so many others?! Not to mention he chickened out, and LEFT his car there instead of driving it away. Moron. :fork:
 
stranger

stranger

New Member
It's terrible what happened. My dad use to work for the Union Pacific Railroad and knew one of the 2 train conductors that was killed. :(

My thoughts go out to those affected by this accident.
 
tigger248

tigger248

Well-Known Member
What horrible news! It's one thing to commit suicide, but why take so many innocent people who want to live with you? Why cause so much pain and suffering on others? It sounds pretty bad, so I guess we should be thankful that more weren't killed, though 10 is 10 more than should have. My thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by this tragedy, both the victims and their families.
 
DisneyCP2000

DisneyCP2000

Well-Known Member
Who knew this one would hit close to home! An associate that I have been working with for the past year or so was ON that train this morning. Luckily, he did not have any major injuries. I believe that he had hurt his wrist but I don't know the full extent of his injuries.

I'm not sure if the news had covered the surrounding area or not but the neighborhood was filled with the smell of gas. The office that my associate works at was told to not work on the ground floor due to the heavy smell. As a result, they cleared out.
 
Indy95

Indy95

New Member
Suicide is the greatest form of cowardice.

This is terrible. Taking other people with you? It's times like these where I pray for a just God.
 

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