Dear Editor,
I was on the southbound Caltrain train that struck the truck
which was attempting to go around the crossing guard in Morgan Hill
on Monday January 23. I wanted to take a moment to report the fine
job done by those involved in a very tough situation.
Dear Editor,
I was on the southbound Caltrain train that struck the truck which was attempting to go around the crossing guard in Morgan Hill on Monday January 23.
I wanted to take a moment to report the fine job done by those involved in a very tough situation.
First, the Caltrain conductors. Their first job was to attend to their duties in inspecting the train, to work with the authorities, and follow the directions given by the authorities. But with all of the confusion and distractions, they regularly kept the passengers informed as to what was happening. They stayed calm and professional.
There was a lot going on over which the conductors had no control. For example, while Caltrain managers in San Jose were very prompt in getting out VTA buses to take us to the San Martin and Gilroy stations, authorities on the scene couldn’t seem to decide how best to get the passengers off the train.
First we were told we would be getting on buses. Then we were told that the buses would not be allowed on the scene and the train would be released to take us home. Finally we were told that the train would not be released, but that the buses would be allowed on the scene, which is what finally happened.
Through all of this the conductors kept their cool and kept us updated with the best information they had at the time.
When the busses finally arrived, the conductors very carefully gave us instructions on how to get off the train, and helped us off as we exited. (It’s a long way down when there’s no platform!)
There were then three Morgan Hill firefighters to help us over the unstable ballast gravel and across the other set of tracks.
I should also add that Morgan Hill police and fire personnel were very quick to arrive at the scene, and that the passengers on the train remained cool and calm, understanding the gravity of the situation and knowing that a fatality was involved.
The incident serves as a grim reminder that it is never a good idea to circumvent a railroad crossing guard, and that in challenging a train the driver of the vehicle will almost always lose.
Still, it struck me that this was a great example of people pulling together and cooperating in a crisis.
Since we so often get angry and frustrated with our fellow humans, sometimes for trivial reasons and sometimes for reasons not so trivial, it’s good to know that we can really come together and work as one when the situation presents itself.
Mike Christie, Gilroy
