Slush Pile: 8 romanians and a train in Italy

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8 romanians and a train in Italy

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2012 Slush Pile

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8 romanians and a train in Italy

2012 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

Darwin/Wendy says, "Thanks for the submission, lifting a train gate would theoretically be a perfect example of Darwin stupidity. However the news article I found referred to the level train crossing as "privately leased," and usually locked by padlocks. It seems that the gates are routinely closed at these privately leased crossings, and perhaps lifting the gate was a normal routine for the migrant workers. I think this case is more complicated than it appears on the surface. Information on migrant workers in Italy, and these deaths.." Also people in the train were injured; the injury of innocent bystanders DISQUALIFIES it as a Darwin Award.

ORIGINAL SUBMISSION:

The 24th of november, 17 pm, southern Italy,

8 romanians in a van... They arrive at a railroad crossing at the said time and place and they find that, for some reason, the barrier is lowered, blocking their acces.

They would have passed it by but this barrier was blocking the whole road in a futile attempt to protect train conductors from unnecessary mental trauma. So, what did the 8 romanians think of it? They decided that two of them should get off the van and manually raise the automatic barrier thus allowing the van across. And so they did. But, surprise!, a train hit the van squashing the other six inside.

Asked by Italian forces, the two surviving romanians were shocked. They still couldn't understand where that train came from. Or why. Maybe it had something to do with those barriers? Nah...

Submitted on 12/13/2012

Submitted by: dumitru
Reference: www.gandul.info, romanian newspaper, 24 november 2012

>> Moderator Scores <<

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I'm usually the first to toss train-related stories since they're so commonplace as well as stories involving passengers who are injured since the driver is typically responsible for what happens. But in this case I think an award is definitely justified. The fact that two people got out to raise the closed barrier means that they had all discussed what to do and that the van was stopped long enough that anybody who was concerned about any potential danger could have gotten out as well. Thanks!

Shadow said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Wow! I agree with Bruce, anyone who wanted out had a chance to get out. this definately has the cartoony excellence of a group Darwin. thanks Dumitru!

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2012 Slush Pile

8 romanians and a train in Italy

2012 Reader Submission Pending Acceptance

2012 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance