Hey, there! Log in / Register
Delays, cancellations on Providence Line after Amtrak train hits somebody in Mansfield
By adamg on Thu, 09/22/2016 - 1:12pm
At least one train has already been cancelled as police investigate the 12:30 p.m. incident, but the T is bracing passengers to expect "significant delays." Mansfield Police report the person is dead - on a stretch of tracks where Amtrak trains travel at well over 100 m.p.h.
Topics:
Free tagging:
Ad:
Support Universal Hub
Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) contribution.
Comments
I've seen the Acela fly
I've seen the Acela fly through there at high speed. It seems like a popular place to commit suicide. Very sad.
We don't know the person's intentions
So it's a bit premature for that.
My comment was based on the
My comment was based on the number of previous confirmed suicides there. I never said this was the case.
Train Approaching. Stand BEHIND Yellow Line
is announced repeatedly at Sharon station, and presumably also at Mansfield and other stations where Amtrak passes through without stopping. You only have to see the Acela zoom through there once in order to understand and respect that announcement.
RIP
In light of all the recent tragedies on the tracks does the Amtrak police who patrol the tracks have plans to increase patrols to deter trespassers?
Amtrak
Well that certain explains the Amtrak police vehicle that passed me on RT 140. So sad to hear about a death on the rail.
Sad
A friend of mine was hit by Amtrak in Mansfield two years ago. It still makes me sick to think about it. My heart goes out the friends and family. And the crew.
EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOL
I can remember many years when the MBTA improved the tracks in now our neighborhood for High-Speed real, and a representative from the MBTA and Amtrak came to the school and showed us this video, people getting hit by the train, this video has never left my head. Maybe Amtrak and MBTA should go back and revisit all the schools along the rail, reminding young people those trains are very very dangerous and they will kill you btw you will suffer, you feel pain and it does hurt. Hit me when you get this hit by train doesn't instantly die they suffer in agony first.
Often human error
It's not always suicide.
That station is known as a popular place to cross the tracks to get to the other side. There is a pedestrian footway under the tracks that connects both sides of the station, and there is an extended fence that goes a couple of hundred feet beyond the station in both directions to discourage that from happening, but people still try to go around or even climb the fence.
This of course is not wise as not only do passenger trains come through there but freight also comes through at a decent clip. Freight may also travel in the WRONG direction on some tracks, especially the southbound track when freight is destine for the inland track that goes through Foxboro which is just north of the Mansfield platform.
I've actually witnessed people hopping the fence there.
The admonition that you stand behind the yellow line is to be heeded.
A few years back I was at the So. Attleboro station waiting for a northbound T train when the announcement came on that a train was approaching. It was an Acela Express. I moved to the far rear of the platform and partly down the access ramp. I watched a newbie genius walk onto the yellow line and I hailed him to get back with me (and others) quickly. He did, and was quite happy he did when the Acela blew through at 100 mph easily. That area of track is rated for 100-110 mph or more.
Let's also remember that poor soul, that 90-something woman who was simply blown over at Mansfield and died from her injuries.
This isn't the Red Line or Green Line. People need to self-educate and know the difference.