The Warning Signs
Police ID woman killed by train after moving crossing gates
SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 12:50 PM
The Charlotte Observer
A woman was struck and killed by a train in the University City area of north Charlotte Friday night.
The pedestrian, Sarah Weagba Doe, 63, was pronounced dead at the scene around 9:13 p.m., according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.
The crash happened around 9 p.m. on the tracks near Old Concord and McLean Roads.
According to CMPD, the railroad crossing gates were down and red lights were flashing. Doe was a passenger in a car, a white Chevrolet Equinox, which had stopped at the gates. But police said Doe but then got out of the car to manually lift the crossing gates.
She was struck by an Amtrak passenger train, No. 79 that was heading south, while getting back into the car that was by that point on the other side of the tracks.
CMPD said that there were no reported injuries from passengers on the train and they have not determined if alcohol or drugs played a factor in the incident.
This crash remains under investigation.
We look at this recent article from the news and we thing . . . "Wow, how could someone ignore the warning signs, flashing lights and go and lift the gate?"
Unfortunately we are all guilty of very similar acts. We all have near misses and close calls that "could have" or "might have" resulted in a life changing injury rather than just a warning shot. However, very few of us take these free passes on our safety to heart. This week I encourage you to not be the next victim. Look for the warning signs while you work. Watch yourself and your coworkers and learn from the near misses. Take note, but more importantly . . . make a change.