cnn.com is showing a train versus an apartment building in Japan. I always think of derailments as train’s on their sides and effecting buildings around it, but how often does a train derail into a building?
Condolences and prayers to the victims.
NPR Morning Edition noted that residential buildings in Japan’s cities are often very close to railroads, in this case only 20 feet between the tracks and the building. Witnesses thought the train, which was running late, seemed to be going faster than normal, so train speed will be part of the investigation
It was a commuter train and not one of their high speed intercity trains.
Jay
Newspapers here say 16 have died. [:(]
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Originally posted by mbkcs
Now CNN says 50 or more are dead. Over 400 seriously hurt.
One of the best things about this website is that CNN.com is becoming redundant. Advertisers for CNN.com really have to be upset.
Gabe
I saw the pics. The apartment building seems to have won. Reports say the driver was 11 months on the job and had overshot the last station before the wreck. He had been cited for overshooting in the past also.
My condolences and prayers are with everyone involved.
These are extremely sad news. The latest news speak of 55 people killed and of train going too fast.
Japanes commuter trains are often extremely crowded. When an accident happens, the consequendes are much worse.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050425/ap_on_re_as/japan_train_derailed_25
Now saying that in order to jump tracks, it would have to have been going over 80mph, the curves speed limit was about 45mph. The driver had been repremanded for speeding before and now they cannot find him.
Awful, truly awful. Today is also exactly one year from that terrible North Korean trains wreck. My condolences to all the friends and families.
Mike
This is very sad, indeed. However, it is important to note that Japan probably has the safest railway system in the world. I believe that the last major wreck in Japan was back in the 80’s when a commuter train smashed into one that was sitting at a station. At that time, it was Japan’s last major wreck in 20 years. Even smaller derailments are rare in the country. Railway workers are really trained hard and have extremely strict regulations to follow.
They say now over 60 have lost their lives in this accident. [:(]
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Originally posted by Sask_Tinplater
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Well they stated that 78 killed so far and 440 injured. That is just about everyone on that train.
I have kept quiet on the wreck because I have very strong feelings about a kiddie 23 year old being allowed such a important job and failing to follow the laws, physics and safety.
Too much reminder of some drivers at that age (Myself included) who were hell on wheels at over 100 mph.
They said that this young engineer has overshot a platform once because of excessive speed and was warned about it. And passengers stated that he again overshot a platform that day before the wreck. Even the train crew (Stewards etc) stated the train was rolling a bit faster than usual. If THEY noticed the speed then the kid hogger …*ahem Piglet (Forgive me Bergie) was really stoking the coal on that run.
I am sorry that the train was running late, but speed is NOT the answer. The engineer foolishly tried to make up the lost time and lost the train and many people aboard.
There is NO shortcut to being already late that is worth the damage, loss of life and equiptment.
My prayers to the survivors and those who have lost kin or friends.
Better late and safe than fast and dead or worse.
Sorry to say CNN reports 73 now dead. [:D][:p]
I might add that in Japan on a typical day there are 60 million riders and that trains there are expected and do arrive timed to within a minute. During rush hours people in commuter trains are usually packed like sardines. Undoubtedly, this contributed to the high casualty toll.
The pictures from the media are horrific, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg of all the combined grief and suffering. I hope they can find out what really happened and why, including all the factors that lead up to this horror.
Dave
Our local newspaper this morning listed 78 dead.The train was said to be running 20 MPH over the speed limit[:(].
age has nothing to do with it… i was 22 when i got in the seat…and trusted with the job…age has nothing to do with anything like this… it comes down to experiance or inexperiance…what would your responces have been if it turned out that it was an engineer with 30 years service and in his 60s trying to make up time?..
making comments about age and the seat is total bull…
csx engineer
They now say 95 have died in this accident[:(]
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Originally posted by mbkcs
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This is a horrid trajedy.
Your right CSXengineer. Experience, along with attitude makes a big difference.
Guys, something to consider. COMPLACENCY.
Japan probably has the safest passenger train operation statistics in the world. Just my opinion, but it’s likely that the managers that reprimanded (wrist slapped) this young engineer had never had to deal with a devastating disaster like this before, so they might not have seriously fathomed the potential disaster that this man could cause. I could see one violation, but two?
Here in the states, depending on the commuter rail authority’s employee disciplinary policy, that would have been a lengthy suspension, a demotion, or employee termination.
It’s fair to assume now that Japanese railway managers are going to suddenly clamp down on violations such as speeding.
God comfort those families and friends.