Beauty Pageant Winner Killed at Railroad Crossing
Shreveport Times, LA. Jun 26, 2007. Hannah McFarland, a 19 year old beauty pageant winner was killed at a railroad crossing early Monday morning as her friend drove her to work. Her friend, who survived the accident without life threatening injuries, says the lights at the crossing were not on when she hit the tracks. The train conductor, of course, claims the opposite. While investigation continues, the city of Minden grieves. Hannah was a recent contestant in the Miss Louisiana contest and a student at Bossier Parish Community College.
Witnesses Say Gate Malfunctioned in Accident
Jun 25, 2007. A 53 year old man and his niece were killed in Los Angeles, California last week when a Metrolink train slammed into his car as he drove home from church. The man's twelve year old daughter survived the accident and is said to be in critical condition. Although the crossing had lights and a crossing arm, two witnesses claim the crossing arm malfunctioned, failing to warn the driver of an oncoming train. Those who knew the driver, say he had no reason to try to beat the train and would never have made such an attempt with his daughter and niece in the vehicle with him. This would not be the first time a crossing arm has malfunctioned, and this crossing should be thoroughly investigated to determine exactly what went wrong.
Missouri Congressman Seeks Federal Funds
Jun 18, 2007. MISSOURI: In 2006, 362 people were killed at dangerous railroad crossings nationwide. The vast majority, if not all, of these crossings were not equipped with lights and gates to warn motorists of oncoming trains. Congressman Sam Graves of Missouri has introduced legislation that, if passed, will free up more federal dollars for railroad safety. Although states are not required to put lights and gates at dangerous crossings, this bill would help states fix dangerous crossings, giving priority to those where people have been killed. Graves's bill comes in response to the particularly saddening accident that occurred in his district over the Easter Holiday this year (see "KC Tragedy" below).
Man Killed at Rural Kentucky Crossing
Jun 07, 2007. WALTON, KY: At a rural grade crossing surrounded by lush green trees, a stop sign warns drivers of oncoming trains. Police are investigating the accident further.
Senator Introduces Tougher Railroad Legislation
May 05, 2007. New York senator, Chuck Schumer recently re-introduced a bill that will, if passed by both houses, impose more stringent penalties for rail safety violations and direct more federal dollars toward railroad safety. This bill, known as the Railroad Crossing and Hazardous Materials Transport Safety Act, would establish a grant program, freeing up $50 million for cities and federal railroad companies to improve rail safety across the country. According to Schumer, “what we need is a real plan to protect our communities and tougher penalties for railroad companies who disregard our safety.” He is absolutely right; contact your senators to support this bill!
Train accidents on the rise in Alabama
Montgomery Advertiser, AL - Jun 12, 2007. The Montgomery Advertiser addresses the problem of railroad accidents in Alabama, which have reportedly doubled over the ...
Railroad accidents in state continue to climb
Montgomery Advertiser, AL - Jun 4, 2007. Federal Railroad Administration statistics show track issues were to blame for a large percentage of the accidents between 1997 and 2006. ...
Taylorville Train Accidents
WCIA-3 News, IL - 17 hours ago. Police say they'll continue to do tests to make sure the warning signals are working all right at the two railroad crossings.Police are also trying to ...
Rail gates, lights were to go up in 6 months
Houston Chronicle, United States - Jun 14, 2007
Texas led the nation in motor vehicle-train accidents at railroad crossings last year, with 338 of the 2910 nationwide, said Steven Kulm, ...
With seconds to spare …
Chronicle-Telegram, OH - 9 hours ago
“We’ve been to a lot of car-versus-train and pedestrian-versus-train accidents, but we’ve never witnessed it first hand. We were very grateful to be able to ...
Rail plan called for crossing gates, red lights in 6 months
Houston Chronicle, United States - Jun 14, 2007
The state also led the nation in fatal motor vehicle-train accidents at railroad crossings with 44 out of the 366 such deaths in the US, Kulm said.
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