On July 12, 2010, an unidentified 16-19 year old male jumped off the Amtrak SW Chief #4 in Watrous, NM, 20 miles North of Las Vegas, NM. The male subject jumped off the Amtrak as it travelled 50mph, track speed. The Amtrak passed through Watrous, NM at approximately 4:30pm, MST. The male was found at approximately 6:45pm, MST, by the Watrous Volunteer Fire Chief as he crossed the tracks (2) on his way out from his house. When the fire chief contacted the male he was seizing. The fire chief called the New Mexico State Police and an ambulance, which arrived with 15 minutes. The male was eventually air lifted to a Santa Fe, NM hospital. No update was released as to his condition. Amtrak #4 stopped in Wagon Mound, NM, 20 miles North of Watrous, NM, after a firemans exit (door) was found open. The Amtrak continued on toward Chicago, IL as railroad (BNSF/Amtrak) officials went to the scene where the male was found.
Really weird. I wonder if the seizing was a result of the jumping or if he was having some sort of neurological interruption in the first place that compelled him to jump off a moving train.
I would have thought all doors on a modern train to have electronic safety sensors to alert train crews if a door is opened while in motion. This is really interesting. I hope we can get more information as it is released.
