From www.firehouse.com One Dead, Dozens Hurt In Georgia Amtrak Wreck Truck Driver Killed, Engineer Critically Hurt POSTED: 11:52 a.m. EDT May 6, 2003 UPDATED: 12:45 p.m. EDT May 6, 2003 Story by WESH.com WALTHOURVILLE, Ga. -- One person is dead, and as many as 33 others injured, after the Amtrak Silver Star collided with a six-wheeler carrying lumber in southeast Georgia east of Hinesville. Georgia State Patrol spokesman Gordy Wright said the truck pulled in front of the train about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. He said the driver of the truck was killed. Amtrak spokesman Clifford Black said the engineer was critically injured, along with three crew members and one passenger. According to an Amtrak press release, 23 people on the train were injured, including the engineer. Amtrak train No. 91, known as the Silver Star, was heading from New York to Miami with about 150 passengers and 14 crew members. The engine and 10 other cars left the track but the train remained upright. The CSX tracks in the area will be closed for at least 24 hours, and Amtrak passengers will be bused between Savannah and Jacksonville.
Followup to previous article, also from Firehouse.com -- The engineer of an Amtrak train that collided with a lumber truck died of his injuries Wednesday. The crash happened in Southeast Georgia Tuesday, WESH NewsChannel 2 reported. The wreck also killed the driver of the lumber truck, and 22 passengers and four crew members were hurt, officials said. The Amtrak Silver Star was carrying 150 passengers from New York to Miami when the collision happened. It had several stops in Central Florida. CSX employees are working to repair the damaged rails. Amtrak officials said trains are running on two of the three sets of tracks in the area.
It's very sad to read the engineer is gone. I'm guessing that this was a crossing not protected by crossarms? Boxcab E50 [ 09. May 2003, 02:13: Message edited by: BoxcabE50 ]
And just look at how many more trucks have tried to beat Amtrak trains since this accident it just makes me Something needs to be done about this before more people get killed or hurt.
My brother-in-law was a very experienced driver, and trainer for a major national trucking firm. The quality of those students he was being assigned was far below what it once was. In fact, some trainees where downright dangerous. Even though they were miserable as far as skills, they were still being hired after he advised they should not. He finally became disgusted enough that he quit two months ago. Boxcab E50
I know where your point is because i went to truck driving school and quit after one of the students took off a gate and went right in front of a train nothing happend to that student that just made me so upset that they didn't even talk to him about his bad driving.
Matt- I have also driven trucks. While not all drivers are potential accidents, it's much less safe than it was only a few short years ago. What's happening, is that even before the current economic slow down, it was becoming harder to make a living. Lower miles per month. Less money. So, virtually ALL the companies are having big troubles getting enough drivers. Turnover is sky high. You ought to see what they are doing to recruit people. And the rabble they are bringing in. Whether on the road, or on rails, everyone should be fearful. Did I mention that maintenance has also been downgraded in many instances............ Boxcab E50
