Teen Struck By Train While Text Messaging
We bring you another reminder that our cell phones are trying to kill us, this time from Cincinnati, Ohio. It turns out that an 18-year-old was crossing the train tracks while texting and was struck by a train. According to the local news site that reported the incident, Zacharia Smith stood and waited for one train to pass, then began to cross the tracks. Unfortunately, Smith was unaware that a second train was headed in the opposite direction. He was thrown 50 feet and knocked unconscious. Smith survived the hit and is currently in the hospital.
Making this story even more amazing is that this isn't the first reported texting-on-the-train-tracks-related injury. Last year, the reigning Miss Deaf Texas was struck by a train while checking her text messages (granted, she couldn't hear the train coming).
From textually.org and KWTX
Related Links:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ann @ Aug 22nd 2007 1:06PM
This is one way to weed out the gene pool. Messy, yes, but if today's teens can't get their heads out of their I-Pods, then, they will get hurt. Last year a boy I know ran out into the middle of a busy street while talking to friends on his cell. He just couldn't multi-task and he forgot to look both ways. he got hit, sailed 25 feet, broke bones, was concussed, etc.
weeding the gene pool...
David Rosenberg @ Aug 22nd 2007 1:29PM
I guess I'll be the first to say it, Don't Text while crossing the Tracks.
The person was very lucky, the train was probably moving at a very low speed although, he was thrown 50 feet.
Does anybody know if the Phone was damaged? The maker of the phone could make a great commercial out of this.
Gunsmoke @ Aug 22nd 2007 8:54PM
To find out what that Teen's last words was is to scoop all the text letters left scattered on Train tracks to solve the puzzle.
Mark @ Aug 22nd 2007 10:11PM
Think texting is bad, wait till those idiots with IPhones try to work those and drive.
Chad @ Aug 22nd 2007 10:33PM
It's bad enough in traffic when someone is driving while using a cell phone and doesn't look where they're going. But it's sheer stupidity not to watch where you're going as you're texting something!
Rollando @ Aug 22nd 2007 11:40PM
I pray and hope the Cinncinnati boy recovers quickly.
Train vs Man. Train most always wins. Most always too late for the train engineer to stop the train in time. The weight, speed, braking distances etc., physics defies it. No way the train is going to stop in time. Most unfortunate to happen. It is up to everyone else to pay more attention and use common sense. On occassion it is the fault of the railroad, no warning signals, poor crossing conditions, etc. On occassion the weather, poor visability, etc.
In this case, the boy did not pay attention while text messaging. Where was his common sene? Duh?
webby @ Aug 23rd 2007 7:09PM
I cannot even go to a movie with an old friend of mine, as she pays more attention to texting friends than the movie, or dinner, or our cobversation. SWhe rarely answers her phone, but will usually respond to a text message. This work is getting sicker.
darthlegion @ Aug 24th 2007 3:57PM
im glad it happened that way. if you're so stupid that you would pay more attention to your phone than your safety, you deserve to be hit by a damn train. just one less stupid person to deal with. if he ever does recover, i bet he wont roll over to any tracks in his wheelchair anymore haha. i dont feel sorry for him at all, i feel sorry for anyone who would feel sorry for him.
Angela @ Aug 25th 2007 12:08AM
LOL DARWINISM IN ACTION!
He would've gotten the Darwin award if he'd died! I bet he was listening to his iPod or some other stupid multitasking thing. God forbid we actually look around our surroundings anymore without multitasking.
Darrin @ Aug 25th 2007 1:14PM
Just shows that parents arent teaching their kids to look both ways before crossing.I taught my kids early and still watch them to see if they actually look as well as any other kids that are crossing the street ,parking lot ,etc.,and if they dont look first i yell for them to stop and then talk to them about it.
James C @ Aug 25th 2007 9:53PM
obviously the parents never told their children too stay off the tracks.>??< the common sense went out the window when the text messaging started. this type of accidents stem from the all Important chatting text messaging. they run in to walls& doors also. that phone Is way more Important. then thinking safety for them self's shame shame. brite side parents bill will be less in the future.
val @ Aug 27th 2007 5:26PM
Technology & Teens don't mix.... and it is not a good mix for some adults either. When will people learn? I have seen adults try to drive, while talking on cell phones, screaming at kids and having the car radio blasting... then they run a red light almost cause a wreck and have the nerve to give the finger to the innocent person.
I feel sorry for the kid because he almost got killed...but I sure as hell hope he has learned a lesson.
Charlie @ Aug 28th 2007 2:18PM
Is the phone ok?
Leanne @ Nov 21st 2007 5:41PM
Why should cell phone companies and their service providers be charged for these teenagers stupidity? I know for one I'm a 19 year old woman and I can never say I'm not on my phone when walking and such but have some common sense about you! That and most of the time I only talk if I'm on a safe sidewalk..cell phones aren't meant to be used on roads, or in cars. People are dying for the stupidest things these days. How hard is it to resist texting or calling?? All day at work people resist and such...I don't feel bad for bad these teenagers who keep making us mature teenagers look like asses!
Me @ Nov 21st 2007 10:35PM
"Last year, the reigning Miss Deaf Texas was struck by a train while checking her text messages (granted, she couldn't hear the train coming)."
I'd like to correct you on something. She couldn't HEAR the train, true, but she could FEEL it... a 50,000 lb vehicle WILL create a vibration! And it would be noticeable from quite a long ways away...
This is my rifle @ Nov 24th 2007 6:38AM
Too bad he lived.
loco inspector @ Nov 24th 2007 1:30PM
I investigate these fatalities for a regulatory agency and everyone of them are senseless injuries and deaths. Trains usually can't stop before striking what is in their path, when that person or vehicle first becomes visible to the engineer or conductor. Trains have LOUD horns and bells to alert the public of thier approach.
Crossings have at a minimum a warning device known as a crossbuck, meaning STOP LOOK and LISTEN, obeying this will prevent every one of these needless accidents. Train activated Lights & Gates only enhance this warning then only if the STOP LOOK and LISTEN rule is followed.
geewhiz20 @ Nov 25th 2007 4:42AM
Some stupid people takes care of buisness while driving also some women wear high heel shoes while driving and get the heel hung on the gas pedal and crashes but they got to have them
Alice J. Smith @ Nov 26th 2007 10:48AM
I think its is pretty bad when we as citizens don't stand up and take responsibiltiy for the stupid things we do. We are responsible for our own actions. Stop blaming the cell phone companies, the tobacco companies and everyone else for our stupidity. There are clearly printed warning labels on all products. Obviously he didn't read his hand book to well.
Get a grip people and start taking responsibility for your own actions. It doesn't take a Harvard graduate to figure out you need to stop and look both ways before crossing any street, alley way or railroad track. Quit trying to make the manufacturers at fault. Take responsibility for your own actions and quit trying to get into the news and blame someone else!
Alice J. Smith @ Nov 26th 2007 10:49AM
I think this world needs to wake up and take responsibility for their own actions and stop blaiming companies or manufacturers for stupid crap they do on their own accord.
That is as bad as folks sueing the tobacco companies for wrongful death of a loved one. THERE HAVE BEEN CAUTION SIGNS ON THE CIGERETTE PACKS FOR YEARS AND YEARS, WHAT THE HECK DO YOU THINK CAUTION MEANS???? CIGERETTE SMOKING MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH. H E L L O, YOUR PUFFIING SMOKE INTO YOUR LUNGS, WHAT DID THEY EXPECT.
AND TALKING ON A CELL PHONE WHILE THEY ARE CROSSING A RR TRACK???? COME ON NOW. WERE THEY NEVER TAUGHT TO LOOK BOTH WAYS???? THERE COMES A TIME WHEN WE HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR OWN ACTIONS AND QUIT BLAIMING THE WORLD AND COMPANIES FOR OUR OWN STUPIDITY AND IGNORANCE!!!!