Train passenger killed by tree branch

[gazza285]

Zarco said:

tannhauser said:

LaurasOtherHalf said:

If you can make a door that doesn’t open when moving, why not a window?

So you've never been on old rolling stock?

To be fair, perhaps we could have new rolling stock by now. Slam doors were designed in what? 1970s?

Haven't seen any slam doors in West Yorkshire for nearly forty years, since we upgraded to the ultra modern Pacers. Seems the London boys are years behind that technology.

Poor lass though.

[MitchT]

The service in question was worked by an HST - these entered service in the mid '70s. There are many still in operation, though they are now being phased out or extensively refurbished to feature automated "plug" doors that have sealed windows, rather than the "openable" door windows of the original design which were there to facilitate access to the door handle which was on the outside.

[Custard400]

Darwin award nominee right there! No doubt it will be made out to be someone else's fault by the do-gooder brigade.

[untakenname]

Looks like they already have the blame laid down

bbc said:

'full investigation will examine the measures in place to "control the risks from persons leaning out of train windows, including the threat from vegetation".'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-4684...

One thing I don't get is why are tree branches growing within 30cm of the train in the first place? Surely being so close even a strong gust of wind could send the branch into the train.

[simoid]

untakenname said:

One thing I don't get is why are tree branches growing within 30cm of the train in the first place? Surely being so close even a strong gust of wind could send the branch into the train.

They’ll probably only grow so close to the train before the train clips them back.

[simoid]

Wobbegong said:

https://news.sky.com/story/woman-fatally-struck-by...

While the train was moving at about 85mph, she decided to open a window (beneath a warning sticker telling her not to) and stuck her head out. Unfortunately her head made contact with a tree branch that killed her.

Obviously hadn’t read the Roald Dahl train safety books

I have a hazy recollection of reading/looking at those illustrations as a young child. Can’t remember the exact details but it freaked me out. It’s also been successful as I never fancied sticking my head out of a train window.

[fttm]

Custard400 said:

Darwin award nominee right there! No doubt it will be made out to be someone else's fault by the do-gooder brigade.

Spot on , basic common sense .

[_Sorted_]

227bhp said:

Had a bet with myself that this would figure in thread. But second post? Superb.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

fttm said:

Custard400 said:

Darwin award nominee right there! No doubt it will be made out to be someone else's fault by the do-gooder brigade.

Spot on , basic common sense .

I don’t think it is, I’m more of the opinion it’s the sheltered lives that younger people grow up in these days that mean most think “it can’t happen to them” or simply just don’t think of the consequences.

I’m mainly thinking of the teenagers to twenty somethings I employ-the HSE has done such a job of mitigating most risks out of life that they don’t really understand the pitfalls.

[DoubleD]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

fttm said:

Custard400 said:

Darwin award nominee right there! No doubt it will be made out to be someone else's fault by the do-gooder brigade.

Spot on , basic common sense .

I don’t think it is, I’m more of the opinion it’s the sheltered lives that younger people grow up in these days that mean most think “it can’t happen to them” or simply just don’t think of the consequences.

I’m mainly thinking of the teenagers to twenty somethings I employ-the HSE has done such a job of mitigating most risks out of life that they don’t really understand the pitfalls.

Its quite normal for older folk to think this sort of thing about younger folk, its always been the way. The funny thing is, if its true, then its the older folk who are to blame anyway, as they are the ones who create the rules.

[Digger]

I don’t recall ever seeing any tree branches less than 10 feet away from my train windows, let alone close enough to injure someone.

[Wobbegong]

simoid said:

Wobbegong said:

https://news.sky.com/story/woman-fatally-struck-by...

While the train was moving at about 85mph, she decided to open a window (beneath a warning sticker telling her not to) and stuck her head out. Unfortunately her head made contact with a tree branch that killed her.

Obviously hadn’t read the Roald Dahl train safety books

I have a hazy recollection of reading/looking at those illustrations as a young child. Can’t remember the exact details but it freaked me out. It’s also been successful as I never fancied sticking my head out of a train window.

Scared the crap out of me too. Probably why I still have my head attached

I think they’re all here

https://tygertale.com/2014/06/25/final-warning-roa...

Can still buy it. Perhaps the government should arrange a print for universities and schools?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Roald-Dahls-guide-railway...

[Halb]

Jasandjules said:

Poor girl.

yes. sad story. Very bad luck to have been killed by vegetation so close to the train.

[DaveH23]

Halb said:

yes. sad story. Very bad luck to have been killed by vegetation so close to the train.

Sad in the fact someone has lost their life, yes I agree.

Bad luck has nothing to do with it. Sticking your head out if a moving train window is just plain stupidity.

[Digga]

_Sorted_ said:

227bhp said:

Had a bet with myself that this would figure in thread. But second post? Superb.

Superb!

Digger said:

I don’t recall ever seeing any tree branches less than 10 feet away from my train windows, let alone close enough to injure someone.

Kinds can blow. Boughs can break. That is all.

Natural selection, in action.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Digga and everyone said:

Natural selection, in action.

Yes natural selection, of course

I suppose you react with much glee to children born with genetic defects dying before they can reproduce and pollute the precious gene pool too eh?

Hereditary cancer sufferers as well?

A young person made a mistake without thinking that cost her her life. Rejoice! We can mock her for her mistake and bask in the warm glow knowing we’re unimpeachable ourselves!

If natural selection is something to be celebrated in the modern medical age I’d like to know how to balance out the loss of one (presumably) normal human who made a mistake against the junkies, alcoholics and criminals who regularly reproduce in huge numbers in this country.

Natural selection my arse.

[DoubleD]

Its not natural selection, but what she did was incredibly stupid. It doesnt take much common sense to know that poking your head out the window isnt a very bright idea.

[vikingaero]

As a (stoopid) kid, it was a rite of passage to play Russian Roulette and see who got their face whipped by tree branches.

[anonymous-user]

"In August 2016, railway enthusiast Simon Brown, 24, was killed while leaning out of the window of a Gatwick Express train near Balham, south London. His head hit a signal gantry at 61mph."

ouch.

[theboss]

poo at Paul's said:

Seti said:

I understand she put her head out to be sick not for any joyful purpose.

Was she pissed up? Surely if compus mentis you'd just go to the lavvy?

I remember heaving my guts up in a Pendolino toilet. If I’d had access to an opening window I’d probably have gone for that instead. She must have leaned fairly far out though.