Metro-North Crash Averted by a Norwalk Police officer

[Q113 LTD]

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_T_WAfRGho

By N.J. Burkett

Friday, February 27, 2015 12:06PM

NORWALK (WABC) --

A police officer in Norwalk, Connecticut, is being hailed as a hero after he helped avoid a Metro-North train crash Tuesday.

The Norwalk Police Department says Officer Neil Robertson had just finished investigating a motor vehicle accident on Cross Street when he observed train gates lowering. At the time, traffic on Route 1 throughout the city was bumper to bumper due to I-95 south being shut down.

While stopped at the traffic light, Robertson noticed an SUV was stopped within the area of the closing gates. Knowing there was a train approaching, he quickly raced to the SUV, which was gridlocked in traffic.

There was not enough time to back the vehicle up, as Robertson could see the train's headlamp coming from the Wall Street tunnel.

He quickly contacted the vehicles that were in line and managed to make them move ahead, allowing the aforementioned SUV to pull forward seconds prior to the train striking it.

"When I looked down the tracks, and I saw that train, it felt huge, it felt like it was right there," he said.

It was the sound of a 130-ton diesel locomotive bearing down on the railroad crossing. The SUV was trapped on the edge of the tracks, wedged in between gridlocked traffic and a snowbank.

"I could see the bumper, that the bumper and the track were right on top of each other," he said. "The clock is ticking...The horn was blaring on that train, and I can hear it coming."

In an instant, he pleaded with the other drivers to move forward. And video shot by another motorist illustrated that close calls don't get much closer than this.

 

"Had Officer Robertson not been there and taken swift action, the incident would have likely ended tragically," he said.

 

Source: http://7online.com/traffic/norwalk-police-officer-praised-after-averting-metro-north-train-crash/535406/

[RailBus63]

There should be a law on the books allowing officers to cite motor vehicle operators who enter onto a railroad crossing without having clearance to exit on the opposite side in the event a train arrives.

[46Dover]

Metro North did not need another catastrophe after Valhalla. Kudos to the Police Officer for a heads up move

[QM1to6Ave]

Shouldn't the gates on both sides of the track be long enough to cover both lanes of traffic, so it can be obvious if you have left enough room or not?

[dunee88]

Someone risked their life and the life of others just to get a few feet ahead and a few seconds on travel (if that). After Valhalla you would think people would learn.

[bobtehpanda]

Shouldn't the gates on both sides of the track be long enough to cover both lanes of traffic, so it can be obvious if you have left enough room or not?

 

They're generally designed not to do that, because if someone gets trapped on the tracks, it's a lot easier to move a half-length crossing gate than a full-length one.

[MysteriousBtrain]

There should be a new law that makes stops lights turn red 15 seconds before a gate goes down. That way cars aren't vulnerable to getting hit.

[Truckie]

There should be a new law that makes stops lights turn red 15 seconds before a gate goes down. That way cars aren't vulnerable to getting hit.

 

In most cases it's the opposite with good reason.  When an approach circuit gets activated the sequence is first the traffic light turns green to clear any traffic form the crossing, then the crossing protection (lights and gates) is activated.  If it was designed for the traffic light to turn red it will be more likely to back up traffic into the crossing where there could potentially be more problems.

[theaveragejoe]

The cop should have gave the dam fool a ticket too after he/she changed their underwear.