Fatal Accident On Train

[hc4361]

Today a train passenger has died because he stuck his head out of the window and was struck by an oncoming train. A shocking tragedy.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3728301/Horror-person-decapitated-speeding-train-sticking-head-window.html

As a child I was warned about this but didn't really believe it would ever happen. However, it was enough to make sure I never do so when the train is moving.

This accident was obviously preventable by restricting the opening of the window. Many hotels and high rise buildings already do this to prevent 'jumpers' and inquisitive children coming to harm. My question is - should train companies make sure train windows can't open more than a few inches?

[Smowball]

We still have a man with no head ladies......... : (

[Mamyalynne]

Horrendous, instantaneous for him of course but dreadful for those who both witnessed and had to attend.

[mastercraft]

Assuming that the human head and neck combined, are between 10 and 16 inches long, how did this accident occur? Surely there is a much greater distance between two trains travelling in opposite directions? At least there ought to be.

[baza]

The gap between the rails is referred to as the 4 ft although it is over that, the gap between the two tracks would be called the 6 ft, so yes the person would have to lean well out of the window.

[1rovert]

He won't do that again, a lesson in common sence.

[waterboatman]

There is no accounting for idiots.

[youngmafbog]

I'm afraid anyone who does that sort of thing was never destined for a long life.

If it wasn't the train it would have been something else. It is impossible to cater for all stupidity even in today's right-on, offended litigious society.

[mushroom25]

whilst the daily mail might be given to hyperbole and sensationalist reporting (indeed that's the case here too), I would advise you check out their report, if only for a number of the photos, which are quite clear.

this was an old train (built in the 1980s) and the door in question is in the centre coach, and is where the guard's compartment used to be (these trains are driver only) and for that reason is equipped with a droplight similar to those that were common on most trains with slam doors. in the photos, the attention of the emergency services is on the door on the platform side of the train, which means the victim wasn't struck by a train, rather he came into contact with something lineside (i've had that confirmed). the clearance between trains and (for example) bridges isn't very big, and it wouldn't be necessary to lean very far out to sustain a life ending injury.

the sad fact is that this was completely unnecessary - new trains to replace these old stagers have been available for some time, but the unions have blacked them as part of their dispute with train operator Govia-Thameslink, Gatwick Express's parent.

[ToraToraTora]

looks like Natural selection at work.

[anotheoldgit]

People have always put their heads out of carriage windows, as these photos show.

http://gb.fotolibra.com/images/previews/1134015-looking-out-the-train-window-kwvr.jpeg

http://l7.alamy.com/zooms/a2f76abee0c240fc9d58b11be0dae0a6/couple-waving-with-heads-out-train-window-enthusiastic-carefree-happy-d1d6f1.jpg

http://cdn-02.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/incoming/article30682903.ece/3d787/AUTOCROP/w620/Patrick%20Mathers.jpg

http://c8.alamy.com/comp/CEB26D/steam-train-conductor-leaning-out-of-passenger-car-window-CEB26D.jpg

[Smowball]

According to the news he was NOT decapitated but suffered severe fatal head injuries

[Old_Geezer]

One might have thought that the designer of the railway would understand the possibility and ensure tracks had sufficient gap between them that two approaching heads could not make contact. But that would require an adequate designer.

[Peter Pedant]

um no OG

when the pendolino ( leaning over ) train was introduced it was found going arond corners ( or bends ) it might smack into another counterleaning pendolino

[Old_Geezer]

All the more reason to have an adequate gap.

[trt]

I wonder how many people were killed on this train?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rHde_2Iys8

[mushroom25]

//One might have thought that the designer of the railway would understand the possibility and ensure tracks had sufficient gap between them that two approaching heads could not make contact. But that would require an adequate designer. //

by the same token, why are there not 6-foot high barriers either sides of every road, and pedestrian crossings whose barriers do not permit persons to enter the road until traffic is guaranteed to be stopped?

after all, the highways authorities must be aware of the possibility that pedestrians will stray into the path of oncoming traffic?

[Old_Geezer]

That's taking an extreme. Loads of individuals like the wind in their hair, which is why open top cars are popular. Spacing the rails is simply common sense. Walling in pavements is absurd.

[baza]

^^^^^ Let me get this right, one man sticks his head and maybe his shoulders out of a train window and is killed by an oncoming train, and you want all tracks moved further apart ? A bit costly.

[Old_Geezer]

I want all tracks to have been designed properly and built further apart from the start. That designers do their job properly. No one has suggested moving anything until now.

[Old_Geezer]

But now you've suggested it; tracks need replacing from time to time, so correcting the flaw could be done were the will there.