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Tragedy: 4 Dead, 17 Hurt After Train Smashes Into Texas Vets Parade

Nov. 15, 2012 10:25pm Jason Howerton

Train Smashes Into Texas Vets Parade, 4 dead, 17 hurt

Midland police, fire and sheriffs respond to an accident where a trailer carrying wounded veterans in a parade was struck by a train in Midland, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. “Show of Support” president and founder Terry Johnson tells the Midland Reporter-Telegram that there are “multiple, multiple” injuries and organizers still are trying to account for everyone. (Credit: AP)

DALLAS (AP) — A freight train slammed into a parade float carrying wounded veterans on Thursday, killing four people and injuring 17 others as the float drove through a West Texas railroad crossing on its way to an honorary banquet, authorities said.

The eastbound train was sounding its horn before it hit the float around 4:40 p.m. in Midland, Union Pacific spokesman Tom Lange said. A preliminary investigation indicates the crossing gate and lights were working at the time, Lange said, though he didn’t know if the train crew saw the float approaching.

Two people died at the scene of the crash, while two others died at Midland Memorial Hospital, City of Midland spokesman Ryan Stout said. Seven of those injured are in critical condition, while the 10 others are in stable condition, he said.

“There is going to be a very thorough investigation,” Lange said. “It’s obviously a very tragic incident.”

Photos of the float taken during the parade show about two dozen people seated in chairs set up on the back of a flatbed tractor-trailer decorated with American flags and signs identifying each veteran. A banner across the truck’s front bumper reads, “Heroes on Board.”

The float was among two flat-bed trucks carrying veterans and their spouses, police said. The first truck safely crossed the railroad tracks, but the second truck’s trailer was hit by the train. Police said some of the people on the second trailer were able to evacuate before the crash.

The parade was to end at a “Hunt for Heroes” banquet honoring the veterans. The wounded service members were then going to be treated to a deer-hunting trip this weekend. The events have been canceled.

Parade participants and pubic safety officials huddle after a trailer carrying wounded veterans in a parade was struck by a train in Midland, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. “Show of Support” president and founder Terry Johnson says there are “multiple injuries” after a Union Pacific train slammed into the trailer, killing at least four people and injuring 17 others. (Credit: AP)

Parade participants look on after a trailer carrying wounded veterans in a parade was struck by a train in Midland, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. Authorities say four people are dead and 17 others are injured after a Union Pacific train slammed into the parade float. (Credit: AP)

Lange said Union Pacific is offering help to the community and victims’ families, as well as peer-to-peer counseling for the train crew, who did not sustain any injuries.

“It’s pretty traumatic for them,” he said.

The National Transportation Safety Board also is investigating, NTSB spokesman Peter Knudson said.

Midland is about 320 miles west of Dallas.

Featured image via AP

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Comments (26)

turkey13
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 6:21pm
Averageran run 45 MPH WITH 70 cars takes 1 mile to stop but varies on weight of cars. The truck driver was probably texting on his cell. Another possibility is as he drove over the tracks it was his break time if a union driver and he had to stop or get into trouble with the union.

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jrcess
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:09am
Union Pacific , a bunch of union ****** at the controls of the train running down Vetrans. If this doesn’t piss you off nothing will.

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- right-wing-waco
  Posted on November 17, 2012 at 11:35am
  jrcess,
  Can YOU spell IDIOT. Trains weighing upwards of 1,000,000 pounds and more cannot stop on a dime. That’s why traffic stops for them.
  
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fb274
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 10:16am
This was strictly driver error—–trains travel through Midland at 60 MPH. The gate/guard, the sounds were working and the lights were functioning. All of the safeguards were in place and visual checking for a train should have been done as well. One can see for miles in the distance if a train is nearing since this is a straight track–no curves. A call for blood donations resulted in the blood donor location being opened after hours and well over 200+ individuals planned to donate.
This accident is so sad, as the weekend was supposed to be a time for honoring the injured warriors for their contribution to the Services of the USofA.

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2smart4libs
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:41am
So this train jumped thre track and ent afterthis truck. Looks to me like another stupid truvck driver stoped where he shouldn’t have

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- sURFNmADNESS
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 9:00am
  Agree, raw video you can clearly hear the signal going off for the crossing. Also the train did not turn into the parade. It appears to be a standard crossing. It looks like it was just poor judgement by the semi driver.
  
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- rickc34
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 9:21am
  This is a sad , pray for the families of those who died that God will show his Grace upon them, and for the injured for healing .
  
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- G-WHIZ
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 10:34am
  I was living in Chi-cago when a womanschoolbuss driver went half-way across a set of tracks and stopped at the red-light. The back-half of the full-schoolbuss was smashed and pushed for blocks. The Schoolbussdriver said: “I couldnot tell how long the buss was so I pulled through and stopped at the light!” The Commie schoolbord UNION didn’t even suspend her liecence or even slap her wrist!
  
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- G-WHIZ
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 10:36am
  Checkout the semmi-driver’s party…Probbably DEMOCRAT!! therefore it’s NEVER his fault!
  
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fiveft15
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:02am
To wilsm6 @ huffa pos, In the military I never saw any white vs black only GREEN! Born into the Army and serving in the AF we were always a family of people serving together, working together and that includes all of the other nationalities who gave you the rights you take for granted. Slug!!!

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- GIJANEMVM
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:10am
  Any one trying to make this into a racial deal, needs to have their heads examined…..like on the inside, your heart needs to open too.
  
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- loriann12
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:14am
  I spent 4 years in the Navy, and there was never any black or white, just blue.
  
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Ragnars Repos
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 4:40am
Very sad.

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BlessedONE333
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:33am
I pray Jesus comfort the victims and their families. This is tragic and totally avoidable. God bless all who served with honor and their children.

on a side note….. DID PARADE MEMBERS STEAL AN ENTIRE CORVETTE DEALERSHIP or what??
lol I think this is a chevy town for sure.

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Stonegarden
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 1:38am
Here is what the nice folks over at huffpo have to say about it

HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Jeremy Bursac
Something like that isn’t random. Whatever the truck driver’s condition there were a lot of people right there who should have seen or heard what was developing.

Finally, this is a state where the popular Governor’s strategy to deal with a severe drought is an official Pray to Jesus Day….

donbrown
A television producer in Hawaii

Only in Texas….

uJellyFish
Drink up me hearties, Yo-HO!

One word: Karma.

uJellyFish
Drink up me hearties, Yo-HO!
57 Fans

43 minutes ago (12:51 AM)
Yeah. How dare I have no sympathy for murderers, guns for hire, sociopaths and those of such lacking brain function that they actually buy the propaganda.

FunFact: those are the only people who have joined the military in roughly 50 years.

Get mad, I don’t care. Welcome to reality.

wllsm6
5 Fans
51 minutes ago (12:42 AM)
Sorry for those who lost their lives and the families involved. I am sure there were African-American heroes/heroines who, as usual, was not welcome because of their race. However, African-Americans should be thankful that they are not included in everything thing “white.” Now the ignored African-American Heroes/Heroines can go on living with their whole families intact while the others grieve their lost. May their souls rest in peace.
Permalink | Share it

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right-wing-waco
Posted on November 15, 2012 at 11:03pm
Why did the truck driver ignore the lights. Anyone with 2 brain cells should know to stop for trains.

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DadRocked
Posted on November 15, 2012 at 11:01pm
Very sad but look to where the people met… All walks of life and professions… They huddled together as ONE! God hear their and our prayers… Amen

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CatB
Posted on November 15, 2012 at 10:48pm
Terrible .. .. but as the daughter of a Railroad Engineer my father always stressed to me that a train can’t just “stop” .. depending on the length and weight (you can imagine how much that can be with a freight train) it can take MILES to stop. Trains are on schedules .. why didn’t they think of that before the parade? .. check the crossing and time for a train? …. so sad .. could and should have been avoided.

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DADDYWOREAWHITEHAT
Posted on November 15, 2012 at 10:40pm
OMG well this is the worst that could happen this week. Like we are not already too demoralized.
Can the payers get out of heir slump please? We need some powerful prayer.

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- CatB
  Posted on November 15, 2012 at 10:50pm
  Prayers for the killed and injured .. and those who watched and those who escaped .. and for the train crew .. I know how much something like this can effect them.
  
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- CatB
  Posted on November 15, 2012 at 10:57pm
  And the EMT’s and medical teams who also had to deal with this sad event .. Prayers to the families of the dead and injured also ..
  
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Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on November 15, 2012 at 10:35pm
The Ironic thing is the train was carrying clothing made in Vietnam, owned by a Chinese company, and Obamacare doesn’t cover this.

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- dealer@678
  Posted on November 15, 2012 at 10:42pm
  And probably driven by an illegal mexican that cant read english
  
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- yougottabekidding
  Posted on November 15, 2012 at 10:50pm
  Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  
  Totally inappropriate dribble
  
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- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on November 15, 2012 at 11:56pm
  @YouGottaBeKidding
  
  You gotta be kidding.
  
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Tigress1
Posted on November 15, 2012 at 10:33pm
Too sad for words.

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