A high-speed train carrying 218 people, derailed in North-Western Spain, on July 24, 2013, killing at least 79 people, and injuring about 140 other passengers, according to reports coming from the region.
The train was travelling at a speed of 95 miles an hour, almost only miles away from Santiago de Compostela. It hit a curve in the tracks, with a speed advisory of only 50 miles an hour. So, obviously, the train was going at about twice the posted speed limit, when the engine, and all 13 of its carriages, jumped to the track, and ended up in a massive pile-up.
Fire engulfed one car, and another was snapped completely in half, after the train careened into a concrete wall.
The incident and the train driver have been under investigation, as well as the conductors. Authorities state that the train had no prior technical difficulties, and that it just passed an inspection. And, this is in no way being looked at as an act of terrorism.
Spain's Prime Minister declared 3 days of national mourning, and had this to say:
One responder said:
Firefighters and rescue personnel responded quickly, and because of their actions, numerous people were pulled from the burning wreckage, alive. They busted out windows, pried open doors, and pulled people to safety. Thank God for those guys.
As of blogging this, there are still 66 people who survived the train crash, in the hospital. 15 of them are in critical condition.
Also, a new information has come out about the driver of the train, Francisco José Garzón.
The first bit is that he is currently charged with 79 counts of (negligent) homicide, and numerous offences of bodily harm. All of them committed just because of professional recklessness.
The second bit is that Garzón really liked to go fast, and liked to brag about it. I know this because he took a picture of the speedometer on the train, posting it on Facebook, while he was going 200 kilometers an hour.
And, it should be noted that this photo was not from this incident, but reportedly from over a year ago.
And then, the third bit of news is that the 52-year-old train driver was reportedly on his phone, and reading a document, at the time of the crash, all while going nearly twice the speed limit.
My thoughts and condolences go to the families of those affected, especially now that it's seeming more and more like something that could've just been avoided.
The train was travelling at a speed of 95 miles an hour, almost only miles away from Santiago de Compostela. It hit a curve in the tracks, with a speed advisory of only 50 miles an hour. So, obviously, the train was going at about twice the posted speed limit, when the engine, and all 13 of its carriages, jumped to the track, and ended up in a massive pile-up.
Fire engulfed one car, and another was snapped completely in half, after the train careened into a concrete wall.
The incident and the train driver have been under investigation, as well as the conductors. Authorities state that the train had no prior technical difficulties, and that it just passed an inspection. And, this is in no way being looked at as an act of terrorism.
Spain's Prime Minister declared 3 days of national mourning, and had this to say:
One responder said:
Firefighters and rescue personnel responded quickly, and because of their actions, numerous people were pulled from the burning wreckage, alive. They busted out windows, pried open doors, and pulled people to safety. Thank God for those guys.
As of blogging this, there are still 66 people who survived the train crash, in the hospital. 15 of them are in critical condition.
Also, a new information has come out about the driver of the train, Francisco José Garzón.
The first bit is that he is currently charged with 79 counts of (negligent) homicide, and numerous offences of bodily harm. All of them committed just because of professional recklessness.
The second bit is that Garzón really liked to go fast, and liked to brag about it. I know this because he took a picture of the speedometer on the train, posting it on Facebook, while he was going 200 kilometers an hour.
And, it should be noted that this photo was not from this incident, but reportedly from over a year ago.
And then, the third bit of news is that the 52-year-old train driver was reportedly on his phone, and reading a document, at the time of the crash, all while going nearly twice the speed limit.
My thoughts and condolences go to the families of those affected, especially now that it's seeming more and more like something that could've just been avoided.
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