Limo vs train in New Paris, Indiana

[~Z~]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss8RdZLPCvs

[justalurker66]

Ooops.

[SousaKerry]

Well that's what you get for turning a dodge into a limo.

[Ypsi]

Well that's what you get for turning a dodge into a limo.

Chrysler 300..

[AARR]

That limo took the hit much better than I would have thought

[Standard Railfan]

They were fortunate the frame was on the rails. The car just slid along top.

[justalurker66]

Yep. A nice clean center mass hit - the limo was low enough that it stayed on the plow. The crossing protection did not stand a chance, but the damage was limited. If the limo was thrown from the tracks there could have been more damage to the pole line or nearby property.

I wish that those present would have ad the presence of mind to call the number on the crossing protection or 911 before the train arrived. The "cameraman" is defensive about the incident "just a couple of minutes before the train came" yet one of the passengers is seen on the video north of the crossing where he was walking around the curve. Fortunately they had the presence of mind to get out of the limo.

[hoborich]

I wish that those present would have ad the presence of mind to call the number on the crossing protection or 911 before the train arrived.

To be fair, how many people have the presence of mind to look for a phone number at a railroad crossing? How many people know there are train dispatchers, or that trains have radios/ Just playing devils advocate for a minute here.

[justalurker66]

911 is available for those who do not see the bright blue signs facing the road (as seen on the video).

Perhaps my "oh (bleep)" reflexes are better honed. I'd like to know more about what the driver (the responsible adult in the situation) did after he realized that he could not clear the crossing. Perhaps he thought he could get away with his error and not report it to police or his boss. I realize that many people have the wrong reaction when caught on tracks (usually in a stalled vehicle).

The first call should have been to 911 (if not the posted emergency number at the crossing). If he made any other call (a tow truck, limo dispatch, etc.) he made the wrong call.

Otherwise, what we have here is a teachable moment. According to YouTube comments the video has already been shown to limo drivers in Fort Wayne. Hopefully along with the "don't do this" conversation was the "but if you do, call 911 immediately".

BTW: Before pictures of the limo can be seen on the limo company's website. http://www.southbendlimousine.com/Vehic ... 00-stretch

[justalurker66]

Elkhart Co Sheriff Office Faxebook report:
https://www.facebook.com/ecsdnews/video ... =2&theater

Comments have now been deleted and disabled on the YouTube video ... not so much on the Sheriff's website.

[Super Chief]

If they had plowed ballast all the way to Warsaw they could have continued with their street running. The limo I mean.

[justalurker66]

I did not realize how much of a hump that crossing was until I went over it last night. I was thinking it was a shallow hump that was just a little too tall for a long low vehicle ... but there is an obvious hill there. Especially eastbound (the direction the limo was traveling).