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Body of missing Amtrak passenger found
So does not the otherwise very safety-conscious FRA require that exterior doors on passenger cars be locked when the train is moving? That’s been the case in Europe for many years now.
We read “…an Amtrak conductor remembered talking to a man fitting Dowd’s description; the employee became concerned when the passenger indicated a belief he was in an apartment but was unable to find the front door…”
and think, “Then what happened?”
This is a tragedy. The story seems incomplete. What did the employee do after he/she realized the man was disoriented? He/she should have stayed with the man until authorities could meet the train to help him. I worked for 37 years in the industry. I was working as conductor on a Toronto area GO commuter train one day, when a passenger exhibited similar symptoms. I arranged for railway constables to meet the train at the next station, where it turned out she was going to. Prior to arrival, it was determined she was a diabetic and a candy from a passenger brought her around somewhat. I kept the train at the station until her husband and the police arrived to take her into their care.
It will be interesting to learn what really took place in this situation, and how future tragedies like this one might be avoided. This is a sad outcome and I extend my sympathy to his family, and those involved on the train because they will no doubt also be feeling terrible about this event.
Before we gang too much up on the Amtrak conductor let’s wait for the investigation to play out. The conductor came forward with his information. He could easily have kept silent. Time to hit pause here. With respect to doors, they should not be locked, as that could preclude emergency evacuation. We need to understand that sometimes bad things happen to good people. Jimmy Carter once said “life isn’t fare”, a sadly profound insight. What happened on the CZ was tragic and sad and quite probably no one was at “fault”. At a minimum let us permit a fair review to complete. Carl Fowler
My Family will pray for the Dowd Family.
This situation might read “Other duties as assigned” for the union conductor. A old time Pullman Porter would have put more effort to aid the sick passenger.
As others have noted, we need to withhold judgement until all the facts are known. Meanwhile, we must also keep in mind that the conductor is responsible for the safety of the entire train, not just a single passenger. The actual “fault” could turn out to be Congress’ lack of funding which has caused reduced on board staff.
the nurse in me wonders: if the guy was as disoriented as his family says (without taking his meds), why would they permit for him to travel alone cross country and eventually into Canada?
The Conductor was unaware of the gentleman’s medical history, as protected by Federal HIPAA Laws. The family was aware, as stated in the story, so I don’t see them taking things any farther.
Kudos to the Conductor for being honest.
Sad
Maybe someone needed to be with this gentleman on this trip. Seems his problem started long before he took this trip.
I don’t know what happens in other parts of the country, but here in the New Jersey, New York area, the rail and transit companies would have an employee stay with the sick passenger and stay with them until help arrived. But, on the NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT AUTHORITY, the train stays at the station until help arrives. But on Amtrak, that may not be possible on long distance trains which operate once a day or even the Cardinal which operates tri-weekly. So, I think the Amtrak Conductor did the best he could.
A tragedy indeed. Family, and Amtrak personnel feel terrible I am sure. A word to the wise here is to be aware of people who exhibit disorientation and confusion and seek help for them. Could emergency personnel have been summoned to check on the man’s condition? Could a family member have travelled with him? This looks like a story that could have had a different outcome.
I did receieve an email from Amtrak about this case. I don’t know if I was chosen at random, but at least they made some effort to publicly help locate this missing passenger. This is much like the "Silver Alert"s we see on electronic highway signs for missing senior citizens.
Any information as to how he died? Was it from falling off of the moving train or was he let off at a station? No matter how he passed though, I agree with Mr. O’CONNOR, this gentleman should have been accompanied by someone in full posession of their faculities. Amtrak does not appear to have been at fault.