Around 4:15 PM Wednesday 12/12/01, Amtrak San Joaquin #714 bound for Bakersfield was involved in a multiple fatality grade crossing accident North of Bakersfield. The Amtrak train was operating at track speed of 79mph when the van driver failed to yield at the Poplar Ave. crossing near Shafter, CA (about 15 Mi. North of Bakersfield) and was struck by the train. The van was wrapped around the nose of F59PHI #2012 and was carried over 1/2 mile down the tracks. All seven occupants of the van were killed with two ejected from the vehicle. There were no reported injuries to the 10 crew members or any of the 82 passengers on board the train. The Poplar Road crossing is equipped with flashing warning lights, but no crossing gates. Witnesses report that the lights were working properly. Since all occupants of the van died, it is likely that the reason for the van's failure to stop for the train will never be known. Television reports are already stating that it appears that the driver tried to beat the train. If so then he, his passengers and the Amtrak crew have paid a huge price for what would have amounted to a savings of about 30 seconds of driving time. My thoughts are with the engine crew, as they are victims of this horrible accident that will most likely be completely ignored by the media who will probably focus only on the victims who died. Unfortunately, less than one day after the accident and the local press and politicians are beginning to point fingers at the railroad. This is a link to the Californian's story which includes witness quotes such as "That train, it came out of nowhere," and "The poor driver (of the van). All I could see was the driver waving his hands around for help. I've never seen a car wreck before. It was horrible." Worse than that, a local politician was on the scene of the accident and is already declaring that he feels that the lack of crossing gates contributed to the accident. This assertion is unfair, as the accident investigation has barely begun and preliminary reports show that the crossing lights were working properly. Another omission on the part of the reporters is acknowlgement of the train crew as being victims of the crash, instead focusing only on the deceaseds families and witnesses. While these people are definitely victims, so to are the train crew who were helpless to save the passengers of the van. Hopefully, they will be able to get past the trauma of the accident and eventually return to their chosen line of work.
Kevin, I saw that posted on Altamont Press, and kind of assumed that it might have been farm workers (Shafter). The Press and especially Local politicians (George Runner used to be one of ours in Lancaster) are the worst people to comment on these things. When are people going to listen to the message of "Stop, Look and Listen?" Not to mention "It's hard to stop a Train." I didn't make a connection with the fact that it was the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which could explain why they were in such a hurry.
It's too bad, but Amtrak will probably be sued for this. The families of the victims will blame 'Big Bad Amtrak', the scapegoat. You'd think that if there were seven people in that van, at least one would've seen the flashing crossing signal. Were they all blind? You don't mess with the power of a train, plain and simple, you will always come out second best.
Harvey, that it what makes it all that more tragic. The 7 passengers had put their faith in the driver who, for some reason we will never know, disobeyed not just a rule , but all common logic. I am quite sure that the passengers knew what was coming but had no power to do anything. Also, the engineer had no power to do anything but apply the brakes and live with the horror. Ultimately, one person ruined many lives just to shave a second off of his trip. Sad indeed! Russ
It is always tragic when lives are lost due to carelessness or a clear premediatated action. I fellow rail employee was pushed off a platform in front of a freight train here in Sydney by a person suffering mental illness. The employee lost one leg, suffered a crushed hip and horrific internal injuries, he is currently in a critical condition and his chances are very grim of a recovery.
Colonel, I am very sorry to hear about the accident on your Railline with your co-worker. Please wish him well from me. As for the CA accident. The crew should get more media attention yes, however that might only bring back memories that they probably want to soon forget...as we all know how mean reporters can get with their questioning... God Bless that Amtrak Crew and may they be back on the rails where they rightfully belong.
Unless the deceased driver had millions of liability insurance or a huge estate, Amtrak probably will be sued as a prior comment stated. Until there is a federal statute immunizing railroads in interstate commerce from liability for grade-crossing accidents (other than with other trains), the deep-pocket, soak-the-richest-person-around for damages no matter who was actually at fault, railroads will continue to pay for these tragic accidents which ought to be paid for by automobile users. The railroad is not the cause of automobile users not being able to afford insurance to protect themselves; the railroad is not to blame for the lack of free, lifetime medical support, &c. The railroad is not the cause of jurors feeling so sorry for victims that the jurors will take huge amounts of money from anyone the plaintiffs' lawyers select as potential defendants. Railroads are necessary implements of interstate commerce. Let motor vehicles or taxpayers in general take care of the hapless victims of idiot drivers. Only changes in federal law can accomplish this. The contingent fee lawyers make too much money on grade-crossing accidents to let state legislatures take away the honey pot.
It was published in today's paper that the driver of the van was driving on a suspended license and alcohol may have been a factor (the suspended license was, in fact, due to his second DUI conviction). Toxicology reports on the driver probably won't be known for a couple of weeks. The wife of the driver was quoted to say "He knew he wasn't permitted to drive, but we had to. We have to work to pay bills," which in my opinion is not a valid explanation. Simply stated, if this driver would have obeyed the law by not driving with a suspended license, seven people would still be alive and countless other people would still be living their lives without the trauma, pain and loss caused by this senseless accident. All of the facts lay 100% of the blame for the accident at the feet of the van's driver.
I think there is a real problem with Drivers and trains, It's like someone says in Yahoo groups, Keep your Kids OFF the trains, and Not the Trains Off the Kids. Same thing here, Look at all the Poeple in Pain right now for a Jerks hurry to gain less then a minute waiting on a train. And no one will tell me the driver didn't see the Flashers, Here in Iowa there is a set on the I&M i can see a several miles up the road at night. I beleieve it is something like a Train hits a car or person every 115 seconds in the US, That is alot of stupid people running around. I could go on all night about this but I will end it here. Larry Doub
