2009

30 October 2009 Golden RCMP - Male Severely Injured by Train An area of CPR right-of-way near where the incident occurred in Golden, British Columbia.     Golden British Columbia - A young man's life is forever changed after a close altercation with a train in the early hours of the morning.   On 29 Oct 2009 at approximately 1:36 a.m., three males were crossing the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) tracks near Highway 95 at 9th Street North, according to a statement released by Golden/Field RCMP. One of the males, a 27-year-old Alberta resident, working temporarily in the Golden area, tried to climb under a box car that was part of a west bound grain train that had stopped for fuel. The male slipped and fell under the rail car as the train was getting underway, the wheels of which ran over his lower body, severing one leg at his hip and the foot from his other leg.   First to respond were CPR employees, and subsequently the BC Ambulance Service and Golden/Field RCMP were contacted and attended. The male was stabilized and transported to the Golden Hospital where he received further emergency medical treatment and stabilization before being transported by ambulance to the Foothills Hospital in Calgary. The injuries, while extreme, are not considered at this time to be life threatening. The identity of the male is being withheld by request of his family.   Canadian Pacific Railway management attended the scene as well and were instrumental in identifying the train involved in this incident and the Canadian Pacific Railway Police have become involved in the investigation as have officials from Transport Canada.   "A tragic incident like this is absolutely preventable," says Mike LoVecchio, Senior Manager Media Relations for CPR. "Trespassing on CPR property is always extremely risky, and can lead to devastating consequences. Just because a train is stationary, doesn't mean that it won't soon be on the move. And just because the tracks are empty, it doesn't mean that a train isn't right around the corner."   LoVecchio continued on to say that people need to use common sense around the railway. "The tracks are not new to Golden, and people should never put themselves in a position where they are risking personal injury."   When asked if a fence could have prevented the incident from occuring, LoVecchio explained that fencing is hardly an effective deterrent to folks seeking a short cut. "Fences are often cut very quickly, at significant expense to CPR, and in many cases to taxpayers, depending on the location. The presence of a fence should never excuse a lack of common sense. Simply put, you should always expect a train to be coming."   The effect an occurrence like this has on the community is distressing, and CPR goes to great effort to support its workers that have been affected by a situation like this.   "Beyond our obvious concern for the individual involved, and their family, our first thoughts are also for our employees, the local people that are often first on the scene," stressed LoVecchio. "Critical stress counseling is readily available for anyone who needs it, and appropriate time off when necessary. There is little that can be done to prepare a person to deal with a situation like this."   In addition to supporting its own workers, CPR has a tremendous amount of community interaction in many locations across the country. "Safety is a partnership," says LoVecchio. "Among a variety of safety initiatives, Operation Lifesaver www.operationLifesaver.ca is a program designed to heighten the awareness of railway safety. But again, nothing can take the place of basic common sense. You should always expect the train."   Sara Hof, Communications Officer for Transport Canada, said in a preliminary statement, "Transport Canada is aware of the incident and will be looking into whether relevant railway safety requirements were followed. With grade crossing collisions, trespassing is one of the most serious safety problems facing the railroad industry."   The statement also provided the following information:   "Canada's government believes that we can help save lives by promoting public awareness of rail safety. Please keep these three tips in mind:   1. Always Expect a Train - Just because you haven't seen a train at a crossing recently, doesn't mean there may not be one approaching. Listen for warning bells and whistles. Turn off, or turn down, distracting fans, heaters, and music until the crossing is safely cleared. Make sure you check both ways before crossing. Children should always be supervised when using rail crossings.   2. Obey All Warning Signs and Signals - Look for the crossbuck sign of a roadway/railway crossing. Some busier vehicle crossings also have lights and bells or gates. Never drive or walk around lowered gates, it's illegal and potentially deadly. If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, call the 1-800 number posted on or near the crossing signal or contact your local law enforcement agency.   3. Respect Private Property - Although rail tracks may look like great places to ride your bike or may be the quickest way to get where you are going on foot, trespassing on the railway's private property is illegal and can be deadly.   Trespassing on railway tracks is extremely dangerous. Statistics show that ninety-six percent of all rail fatalities occurred at grade crossings or as a result of trespassing. In Canada, there are approximately 60 deaths per year as a result of trespassing. The only safe place to cross is at a designated public crossing with either a crossbuck, flashing red lights, or a gate. If someone crosses at any other place, they are trespassing and can be ticketed or fined.   Operation Lifesaver is an active, continuing, public education program that is designed to heighten public awareness of the potential hazards of highway/railway crossings, and to urge caution by drivers and pedestrians when in their vicinity. The Operation Lifesaver website has statistics for trespassing incidents.   Golden/Field RCMP are warning people not to cross the CPR right-of-way and to not climb onto stationary or moving railway equipment.   It is believed that alcohol was consumed prior to the incident.   The investigation is continuing.   Janet Crandall-Swaffield.

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