2 Children Dead, 1 Injured as Father Tries to Cross Tracks

Very few vehicles can survive an impact with a freight train, not to mention the people inside of it. That’s why there are so many warning mechanisms at railroad crossings. Yet people in a hurry try to dodge around them all the time, with tragic results.

A father in Stockbridge is mourning the loss of two children and a third is critically injured after a collision with a train. The father was on his way to deliver his three children to their mother when was stopped by a railroad crossing. Camera footage shows the man slowing down at the intersection and then trying to drive around the crossing arms. Within seconds the car was crushed by the train.

While he only received minor injuries, his children were not so lucky. A fourth sibling at the mother’s home is devastated over the events.

The size of freight trains makes them appear to be moving much slower than they actually are. That can make impatient drivers take a chance to go through the crossing. But there are going fast and they can’t slow down in time to avoid hitting vehicles. It takes quite a long distance to stop a loaded freight train.

Atlanta drivers may not be known for patience but exceptions must be made for train crossings. You will lose if you try to go around the barriers.

This has been a message from John Foy & Associates.