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Darwin Awards
2006 Slush Pile

This item was recently submitted by a reader.
Should I include it in the archive?
Vote to tell me what *you* think!

Poor Training

2006 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

Darwin reviewed -- "Thanks for the submission, Doug."
Two employees of a gravel company in central New Mexico near Albuquerque were having a nice break and chat as they met each other on the road one morning. One driving a dump truck, the other a pickup, they decided to pull over and shoot the breeze. The dump truck driver was standing outside talking to the other driver, who remained in his truck. While they were sitting in the middle of the road, this wasn't a problem as it was a private rural road.

What did turn out to be the problem was that they decided the best part of the road to park their vehicles was actually a grade crossing for the BNSF railroad. Right on the tracks. A freight train on its way to Chicago rounded a curve at 54 mph and saw the trucks on the track. The horn sounded, and the emergency brake was applied, but there was no way to stop in the quarter mile left.

Both drivers died-oddly enough, neither of them apparently ran out of the way, including the one who was already out of the truck. Apparently the moral of the story is that even though crossing guards aren't required on private roads, it seems that if people can do something stupid, they certainly will.

Submitted by: Doug Wilber
Reference: KRQE.com 11/01/06

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

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James said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
While grade crossing accidents are common, REALLY stupid people seem to find new and better ways of pushing the envelope! Of ALL the places on a rural road to pull over (ESPECIALLY in New Mexico, where empty space is prevalent), they HAD to pick a grade crossing, and didn't even react when the "red ball" came charging through! They had plenty of time to react, but whatever they were talking about must have been more important. I guess they can continue their chat in the hereafter! Thanks, Doug!

Graham said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
I just don't get it. Normal human reaction is to flee danger. What were they talking about that was so engrossing that a train took a back seat to their chat? Was there really stupidity involved here? What if they were listening to a song at full volume? They may not have heard the train approaching. This one is weird for sure.

Jorge said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award

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