https://kdvr.com/2018/07/21/pedestrian-struck-by-train-near-henderson/ My thoughts are with all involved.
Uh oh. I'd have guessed that there must have been a throng of viewers assembled in expectation and perhaps a lot of whistle as well.
From what I have heard, it was a person who was trying to get the perfect shot looking through their camera, not realizing that the 844 was as close as it was.
I saw the drone video, before it was taken down. The person was literally at the end of the ties, and just sent flying when struck. Very very sad
I read that the UP has chosen to sideline the 844 for Sunday's trip. I'm sure that 844's engine crew is greatly upset over the incident and needs some time off. You hit it on the head Boxcab and Russell. It's hard for any of us here to understand how anyone could become so absorbed in picture taking as to be oblivious of their location. When people shelve sensibilities and instincts of self-preservation, there's just no way to prevent a recurrence of this event. Not to put a price tag on it, but the inevitable suit will portray the picture-taker as an innocent victim of a railroad that failed to secure its right-of-way and protect trackside viewers.
I feel for the family but it hard to see how it anyone's fault other than the pedestrian. Trains are on fixed routes and fixed dimensions, if you stand in it's way you will come off worse. They are big enough an noisy enough to know of there presence, they were taking a picture according to the accounts so they knew the train was there. Another incident of people not concentrating on self preservation. Hope the crew of UP844 are supported and the "investigation" doesn't cause the program and excursions in general too much agro!
A very sad and needless tragedy. It's difficult to understand being that absorbed in their shot. The victim,however, may not have been a regular railfan so was not familiar with the safety aspects. Although it seems like there's always someone lacking understanding, most people I've seen tend to plan the location of their shots before the train arrives and with due consideration for their own safety.
Just saw the video and the man is indeed standing fast with one foot on the end of a crosstie, absorbed with his picture and completely oblivious to his environment. Other viewers are safely standing far back from the right-of-way, respecting the property and the train.
It'd been reported that the deceased was a "middle-aged Caucasian woman who was standing too close to the tracks". She was either holding something over her head or waving. Per Russell's post above, I wonder if she assumed that she was safe outside the gauge? We may never know.
