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2008 February Slush
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feeling tyred - near miss
Tram drags man with him
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Man dies trying to beat train in Sa
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Darwin Awards
2008 Slush Pile

This item was recently submitted by a reader.
Should I include it in the archive?
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Man dies trying to beat train in Sa

2008 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/08/MN5KUV6HD.DTL

(02-08) 14:16 PST SAN LEANDRO -- A 22-year-old man was killed in San Leandro when he apparently tried to beat an Amtrak train across the tracks but didn't make it, police said today.

The northbound train was crossing Hesperian Boulevard at Springlake Drive around 8:05 p.m. Thursday, police Sgt. Randy Hudson said. Witnesses told police that the man had been walking north along the east side of Hesperian and tried to cross the tracks after the railroad crossing arms went down and the lights were flashing.

"He started running around the arms to make it across the tracks," Hudson said. "It looks like he was trying to beat the train. The train was going 76 mph, and I think he just underestimated the speed."

The man had identification from Florida, but police believe he had an address in the South Bay, Hudson said. Authorities are not releasing his name until relatives are notified.

Submitted on 02/08/2008

Submitted by: Jessica
Reference: San Francisco Chronicle 02/08/08

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

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>> Moderator Scores <<

James said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
While grade crossing accidents are generally too common, what I like about this one is as follows: Firstly, it's simplicity and the fact that the victim was a pedestrian. Secondly, the fact that he was initially walking (which rules out his being in any particular hurry) and suddenly made the brilliant decision to run AFTER the gates were down. I wonder WHAT he was thinking! Finally (and most importantly), the fact that an Amtrak train traveling 76 mph would pass in literally three to five seconds. I know I could have waited for that train! The sudden lapse in judgment is what puts this one ahead of the pack. I wonder what my fellow mods will think! Thanks, Jessica!


Bruce said:
Definitely Toss: Too Common
This sounds to me like a classic train/pedestrian accident which happens literally hundreds of times a year in the US alone. I really don't see anything here that makes it stand out compared to all those other crossing accidents.


Chip said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I agree with James that this one is on a different level than most train deaths. Thanks, Jessica


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