Caught On Video: Caltrain Rider’s Near-Fatal Close Call

[yuiyoshida]

REDWOOD CITY (KPIX 5) — Video showing a man nearly being killed as he ignores numerous warning signs and runs across the tracks at a Caltrain station as a train passes at full speed is prompting train managers to beg the public for better awareness.

According to Caltrain officials, the incident took place at the Redwood City station sometime in February during a morning commute.

In the video, barriers were down and sirens blaring as a first group of commuters ran across the tracks in front of an express train that does not stop at that station. Moments later, a man lagging behind the group runs across, a split second before the train passes.

The man has not been identified.

see video at the link:
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/03/18/video-surfaces-of-caltrain-riders-near-fatal-close-call/

[Historic NY]

1. Stupid is as stupid does....

[AsahinaKimi]

2. Seen this ...

He is very lucky... but I hope he doesn't make it a habit dodging trains. The next time he might trip and then what? Stupid is right.. Baka tare!!!

[MrScorpio]

3. OK, the guy crossing the tracks was an idiot

But I read the comments and there's no excuse for the fools in there to politicize the whole incident.

What the fuck is wrong with people?

[yuiyoshida]

5. The Cali Haters are out in force...

Tootrue4you trampletheweakhurdlethedead • 19 hours ago
California should be walled in and then filled with water.

California should be sold to China to help pay off the debt, and we should include everyone living there as well. If they like demonic-rats, then let them experience true communism.

I think some trolls need to crawl back into their holes from whence they came.

[Arkansas Granny]

4. He must be training for the Darwin Award.

[Historic NY]

6. +1

But. I think the guy in France got it.

[JHB]

7. Here's a simple suggestion: build pedestrian overpasses or underpasses

Remove the opportunities for people and trains to be in the same place at the same time.

[yuiyoshida]

8. Or...Monorails like at Disneyland!

[JHB]

9. More specifically, elevated tracks

When I was a kid the Long Island Rail Road elevated the tracks on the branch near me, and eliminated dozens of grade crossings.

The station I use now isn't elevated, but access to the tracks is blocked and the main way to get to the other side is a pedestrian underpass. Other stations have walkways above.

Train stations will always have people who are distracted, trying to catch a train on the other side that they're a little late for, or on one way or another have their head up their ass and not looking where they should. Awareness campaigns are temporary -- or worse, just become tuned-out background noise. Physical separation is a lot more reliable (and less expensive, especially over time).