“Brightline train ‘brushed’ man who refused to move off track, PBSO says”, when man ignores right-of-way of oncoming train.

UPDATE: A breaking news investigation by Palm Beach Post reporters Julius Whigham, Jeff Ostrowski, and R. Denty revealed the cause of the incident on the Florida East Coast (FEC) railroad tracks yesterday morning in the quirky City of Lake Worth. Here is an excerpt from the news which also made page B2 in the print edition today, above the fold:


Authorities said a man was “brushed” by a Brightline train early Thursday after he refused to move from the tracks.
     The unidentified male was taken to a trauma center for evaluation and is being referred for a mental-health examination, a spokeswoman for the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office said.

and. . .

     Five people in Palm Beach County have been struck and killed by Brightline trains since January, when the company launched passenger service on the FEC tracks.
     Three of the deaths were ruled accidental, and in each of those cases blood samples taken from the victims tested positive for drugs, death records showed.


Here is very important information for everyone in this City of Lake Worth. Trying to challenge a train is a very bad idea. No matter how hard you try, you will never win a challenge against a train. And it’s also important to remember. . .

Quiet Zones along the Florida East Coast (FEC) railway ARE IN EFFECT.

  Getting this information out to our non-English speaking communities in this City is especially important (Spanish and Creole).*

For more information contact Mr. Ben Kerr, PIO, at 561-586-1631; email: BKerr@lakeworth.org

The message always is:
“See Tracks? THINK TRAIN!”

PLEASE TAKE NOTE:

Lake Worth, Fl — At 11:59 p.m. on May 21, 2018, the City of Lake Worth will become designated as a Quiet Zone for rail traffic on the FEC line within the City limits. Trains will no longer sound their horns routinely within the City boundaries except in instances where the Engineer deems it necessary due to an emergency or for the safety of workers on the tracks. As train horns will no longer sound at crossings it is of utmost importance that people obey the barriers and stay alert whenever they are crossing the tracks.
     The City reminds all that it is illegal and highly dangerous to trespass on rail tracks. Train speed and distance is deceptive and without the use of the horn a train is extremely quiet which can lead to accidents when people attempt to “beat” the train and ignore the safety barriers. In addition it takes many trains over a mile to come to a complete stop and new trains on the tracks will be travelling at speeds up to 79MPH.
     Further information about Railroad Safety in English, Spanish and Creole click on this link.

Message is always:

“See Tracks? THINK TRAIN!”

“Lè w wè ray tren?
SONJE TREN AN!”

“¿Ves rieles? ¡PIENSA TREN!”

*From the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency (TPA) and Operation Lifesaver:

To become a volunteer for Operation Lifesaver
click on this link.