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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Mar 24, 2012 10:17:55 GMT -6
Some of you may have had the unfortunate occurrence of seeing a rather grisly traffic accident. There was a bad accident on my subway last night; I was there when it happened and it wound up making the news today. Man struck by L train, critically injured, at Williamsburg stationThere was a subsequent report on NYC's all-news cable TV channel this morning reporting that the guy died; here's a link to it with the video report: www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/158208/man-dies-after-falling-onto-subway-tracks-during-fightI did not actually see the guy get hit, but I did see the aftermath and it is an image you do not soon get out of your head. I was on the Brooklyn-bound train returning home after going out to dinner last night following a late night at the office; my train pulled into the first stop in Brooklyn to let people out, then closed its doors when the Manhattan-bound train on the other side of the platform was roaring into the station. I heard an unusual and sudden screech from that train as its motorman abruptly applied the breaks; looking up, I saw the train stop mid-way along the platform. In my subway car, other people apparently witnessed what happened because both men and women alike started screaming; the horrified women were red-faced and shaking and struggling to fight back tears, so I assumed they saw someone fall onto the tracks and get hit. Shortly thereafter, my train started to pull out of the station; as it proceeded, I saw what caused their reaction -- from the waist-up, a young man was sticking up above the edge of the platform, pinned there by the incoming subway train. Presumably, he was trying to climb his way up from the tracks and didn't quite make it out. Obviously, he was completely crushed below the waist. All in all, a pretty disgusting, nightmarish site to see. |
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Post by innit Geezer on Mar 24, 2012 11:40:25 GMT -6
Very tragic indeed.
When I was a kid I watched a Con Edison worker slip off the side of a large truck as he was attempting to ride it's platform (much like the back of a garbage truck).
When he slipped off, a leg wrapped up around the slow turning double rims and tires. His leg was opened up and covered the entire wheel. My father ran over to try and console the screaming man. It was a site I'll never forget.
What you saw is even worse.
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Post by Tex on Mar 24, 2012 13:39:41 GMT -6
When I was 8, my friend and I were playing on a road construction site. He pulled the wheel chock out from under one of those road rollers with 10 or so solid rubber tires on each end. It started rolling and ran over him stopping on his chest. The only good thing was that it was over in a second.
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Mar 24, 2012 14:00:32 GMT -6
That's what I was thinking about this kid. He was over and out in the blink of an eye.
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Post by innit Geezer on Mar 24, 2012 14:47:16 GMT -6
The distance from the train to the platform is ~ what?~ about 6 inches. That says is all.
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Mar 24, 2012 16:14:08 GMT -6
Less than that, I think, in most cases. Depends on the design/construction of the platform at a given station.
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Post by Chicago Jake on Mar 24, 2012 16:51:00 GMT -6
Hence the phrase, "Mind the Gap!"
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Mar 24, 2012 16:58:01 GMT -6
Very true! In Manhattan, if you go to the Union Square Station where the # 4 5 or 6 trains stop, they have grating that slides out from the platform to the edge of the train. Whenever I get on or off a train at that station, I make sure to over-compensate by taking a big step to or from the train.
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Mar 24, 2012 17:21:58 GMT -6
As a follow-up to Jake's post, here's a sign that NYC's MTA used to post at Manhattan's Union Square station a few years ago for the 4 5 and 6 trains. They no longer have these signs. |
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Post by Chicago Jake on Mar 24, 2012 17:32:24 GMT -6
I was thinking of this sign in a different megalopolis.....  |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Mar 24, 2012 17:37:40 GMT -6
I know -- I think NYC's MTA got the idea for their sign from the one in the London Tube stations.
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Post by Merlot Joe on Mar 24, 2012 18:30:54 GMT -6
Damn that sounds like something you would see in a horror film!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Mar 24, 2012 19:48:01 GMT -6
Exactly right, Joseph. I really wish I hadn't seen it in the first place. It's nasty shit I can't get out of my head.
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Post by Exildo Wonsetler Briggs III on Mar 24, 2012 20:07:36 GMT -6
Shit happens.
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Post by Exildo Wonsetler Briggs III on Mar 24, 2012 20:13:01 GMT -6
And now I see the asshole was fighting with another person when he fell. About 300 people lost their lives in car accidents this weekend but I'm supposed to give a shit about a fucking idiot in New York who would be alive today but for the fact he decided to get in a fight with someone?
This is why I hate New York. Fuckers there think the world revolves around them. Give me a break . . . . .
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Post by Kawaii Kaiju on Mar 24, 2012 20:36:39 GMT -6
And now I see the asshole was fighting with another person when he fell. About 300 people lost their lives in car accidents this weekend but I'm supposed to give a shit about a fucking idiot in New York who would be alive today but for the fact he decided to get in a fight with someone? This is why I hate New York. Fuckers there think the world revolves around them. Give me a break . . . . . Yup, as a decent human (or a member of any sect of practicing Xian I have heard of) you are supposed to care about all those people. Perhaps not in a profound way, but any senseless death should cause you some small grief. I do agree with the sentiment about New Yorkers (and Californians) having a well developed sense of self importance. At least the News Media fosters that image even if it isn't the case of the NYer's I have personally met. Zilla (who is taking a huge leap here and assuming you are a decent human being) |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Mar 24, 2012 21:46:06 GMT -6
This is why I hate New York. Fuckers there think the world revolves around them. Give me a break . . . . . Well, of course, I like to think that you hate New York (and New Yorkers) for reasons other than this. But hey, maybe that's just my masturbatory fantasy (BTW, are you still wearing those yummy-delicious biking shorts?) How come you didn't post this one in an upside-down font? Is the CB Radio message board down right now or would you like me to start pulling all kinds of magical shit out of Rhonda's pussy right about now? Just askin' .... |
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Post by Irish Stu on Mar 25, 2012 10:22:49 GMT -6
What a sickening and horrific thing to witness, and a reminder of just how frail our bodies really are. I watched something on TV here recently about what the drivers of our Tube trains go through when they have hit someone who has thrown themselves, or fallen, on the track. Some are never able to work again because of the trauma they suffer. Talking helps, so talk about it as much as you need to, and to anyone who will listen, until you have dealt with it in your own head.
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Mar 25, 2012 13:56:27 GMT -6
One thing I don't get is why no one tried to help pull the guy up onto the platform when they saw him unsuccessfully trying to climb up from the tracks. There were plenty of people standing around there -- it only would've taken one or two to help him up and this kid would still be alive today.
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Post by Chicago Jake on Mar 25, 2012 14:56:39 GMT -6
One thing I don't get is why no one tried to help pull the guy up onto the platform when they saw him unsuccessfully trying to climb up from the tracks. There were plenty of people standing around there -- it only would've taken one or two to help him up and this kid would still be alive today. Sounds like the Kitty Genovese syndrome. |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Mar 25, 2012 15:30:57 GMT -6
Perhaps, except that these were young people in their 20's and early 30's who -- generally speaking, based on the demographics of this neighborhood -- are not originally from around here and as such have a different outlook. My experience has been that most of these kids will usually step in if they see someone needs help or witness something that's occurred.
My best guess is that they were just shocked at what they were seeing and froze, becoming spectators rather than participants.
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Post by Irish Stu on Mar 25, 2012 17:03:36 GMT -6
Maybe he'd only just made it back to the edge of the platform as the train caught him, and if he'd been a second faster they'd have been able to pull him out of there. Who knows, but I'd think most people would help him back up with a train bearing down on him even if he'd been the instigator of the fight.
What strikes me is that, according to the news report, the fight lasted from when they exited one train until the next one arrived yet nobody pulled them apart before they fell off the platform.
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Post by Merlot Joe on Mar 25, 2012 17:58:44 GMT -6
What strikes me is that, according to the news report, the fight lasted from when they exited one train until the next one arrived yet nobody pulled them apart before they fell off the platform. Where are the cops when you need tehm? |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Mar 25, 2012 17:59:36 GMT -6
What strikes me is that, according to the news report, the fight lasted from when they exited one train until the next one arrived yet nobody pulled them apart before they fell off the platform. Actually, that part I kind of understand -- when two people are fighting, you don't get in the middle of it, else they'll both start kicking the shit out of *you*. Better to let them duke it out and get it out of their system and mind your own business. This one, unfortunately, got out of hand and took an ugly turn. |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Mar 25, 2012 18:02:11 GMT -6
What strikes me is that, according to the news report, the fight lasted from when they exited one train until the next one arrived yet nobody pulled them apart before they fell off the platform. In that neighborhood, there's a Dunkin' Donuts about a block away. |
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Post by Irish Stu on Mar 25, 2012 18:16:34 GMT -6
What strikes me is that, according to the news report, the fight lasted from when they exited one train until the next one arrived yet nobody pulled them apart before they fell off the platform. Actually, that part I kind of understand -- when two people are fighting, you don't get in the middle of it, else they'll both start kicking the shit out of *you*. Better to let them duke it out and get it out of their system and mind your own business. This one, unfortunately, got out of hand and took an ugly turn. True, but it must have gone on for two or three minutes minimum between trains. That's a long fight in a public place. |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Mar 25, 2012 18:29:32 GMT -6
I guess they were enjoying the free entertainment until it turned deadly.
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Post by Tex on Mar 25, 2012 19:25:16 GMT -6
Ben Franklin:
"He, who in quarrels would interpose,
Must often wipe a bloody nose."
I understand no one wanting to break up the fight. After the fight broke up, it probably happened so fast that everyone froze for a second and that was too long.
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Post by Chicago Jake on Mar 25, 2012 19:27:17 GMT -6
I guess they were enjoying the free entertainment until it turned deadly. It's all fun and games until someone gets their torso mashed by a high-speed vehicle. |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Mar 25, 2012 19:51:50 GMT -6
Wow! Two Ben Franklin quotes in a row!
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