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]

I read this but am a bit baffled. Ive been on trains all weekend and not one could you open a window wide enough to put your head out??

[ummmm]

Jeez...I thought they were already were restricted.

[ummmm]

Gosh...such compassion.

[hc4361]

Horrendous ordeal for the onlookers and the family, though, and of course the professionals that will be involved.

Maybe there was a fault with the window.

[ChillDoubt]

You wouldn't stick your head out of a car doing 60 mph so what would possess someone to do it on a train is beyond me. As DB says, Darwin award winners will continue unabated.

[New Judge]

There are not many trains where such an occurence could take place now. When I was young a friend's brother was a steward on the "Midland Pullman" ( a train aimed at the business market between London and Birmingham/Manchester). A "decapitation" occurred and my friend's brother was detailled to clean up the mess between serving breakfast and lunch to his passengers.

Morre recently (probably 20 years or so ago) a similar event happened at the mouth to Penge Tunnel in south east London.

[baza]

So that's 2 trains taken out of service for investigation, one driver taken off.
Can't work out how people on the platform saw it .

[ummmm]

Of course not but your answer is a bit shabby. A man is dead and god knows how many more people traumatised.

[anneasquith]

He made a really bad mistake and has paid the price. No need to talk so negatively about him now.

[-Talbot-]

Shocking, , I didn't think this was possible.

divebuddy must be flying the flag for the hard men currently missing from AB.

[Jackdaw33]

According to the BBC the police deny that the man was decapitated.

[ummmm]

divebuddy - it would traumatise me without a doubt.

[-Talbot-]

The ones who dismiss human life like confetti .. sort of reverse virtual signalling.

Do your own research if you're not sure who.

[ummmm]

Retrocop and Svejk are missing...

[Smowball]

Dive buddy- dear god that would give me nightmares for weeks!!

[Buenchico]

>>> My question is - should train companies make sure train windows can't open more than a few inches?

That's impossible on trains that use the older rolling stock where the only way to open the door from the inside is to pull the window fully down and then use the external handle. (Internal handles were deliberately omitted from the design on safety grounds). They're used on the majority of services on the London to Norwich mainline, for example.