Grief outpours after 6-year-old girl struck, killed by light rail train in Calgary
- Commuter Chaos
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- October 15, 2018
Today our hearts are with those affected in Calgary, Alberta where a 6-year-old girl has been struck and killed by a light rail train. The incident this morning prompted expressions of grief from both Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, and also from hundreds of transit riders who were caught in more than 3 hours of service delays due to the incident.
According to CBC news, CTV News Calgary and the Vancouver Sun, the driver of the C-Train light rail vehicle saw a ‘panicked’ girl on the train tracks after warning gates had come down, and applied the brakes, but not early enough before the girl was then hit by the train. The girl was rushed to the Alberta Children’s Hospital, where she subsequently died of her injuries.
Aerial footage from Global News shows firefighters and paramedics rushing the girl on a stretcher into an ambulance, and then the ambulance subsequently rushing to the hospital.
Outpouring of grief
The incident has caused an outpouring of grief on social media channels from various people, including Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, who described the incident as “every parent’s nightmare”.
There's barely any guards from 39th avenue south to Somerset. Many people have been hit over the years. it's 2018, invent something better.
— Colton (@Coltravesty) October 15, 2018
A makeshift memorial marks near where a little 6 yr old girl lost her after that tragic c-train accident this morning in #Calgary. pic.twitter.com/XDCrgmIl2j
— Lauren Pullen (@LaurenPullen) October 15, 2018
My thoughts are with the family of the young girl who was involved in the LRT incident in Somerset-Bridlewood (C-Train). Seeing something like this can be traumatic. If you need help calgary counselling centre can be reach at 403-691-5991
— Graham Sucha - Only really here to talk about @CFL (@grahamsucha) October 15, 2018
Calgary "cheaped out in the 80's": critics
LRT service was shut down in the Somerset-Bridlewood station area as a result of this incident at approximately 7:56 AM mountain time. The service was subsequently replaced by shuttle buses, and this arrangement continued for over 3 hours until regular service was restored by Calgary Transit at approximately 11:00 AM mountain time.
C-Train passengers vented frustrations on social media, posting pictures showing long line-ups, crowds, and confusion resulting from the delays. Some people pointed out that “many people had been hit over the years” as a result of the system’s at-grade operation.
Accidents have disrupted light rail service in Calgary in three separate incidents that were highlighted by SkyTrain for Surrey: in May, July and September.
CTrain delays due to car crash w/ LRT at Marlborough. Shuttle busses running. #YYC #YYCtraffic http://t.co/XF6yfA4ltG pic.twitter.com/FoHzRs0fF4
— Erin Lawrence (@tvchick1313) January 10, 2014
A girl was killed by a C-Train today near Shawnessy. Trains need to be elevated or underground. Calgary cheaped out in the 80's. There's only 2 stations that are arove ground or below ground. #yyc
— Colton (@Coltravesty) October 15, 2018
Comment
byu/powerviolence from discussion
inCalgary
Once again, this incident highlights a major, fundamental flaw of the proposed street-running light rail system endorsed by TransLink, the Regional Mayors’ Council, and the City of Surrey. The proposed LRT lines run in the medians of major arterial roads, and would cross through several busy intersections at street level.
UPDATE: Another pedestrian struck and killed in same day
Within hours of this incident, another pedestrian was hit by a light rail train in Calgary and died of their injuries on the same line.
See full post: Another pedestrian is dead after hit by LRT train in Calgary
Commuter Chaos
SkyTrain for Surrey is a BC-based community organization that has advocated for the expansion of the Vancouver SkyTrain system, including our successful advocacy for the under-construction Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension.
Commuter Chaos stories are our documentation of the inevitable outcome of choosing an LRT system, especially when it is chosen in place of a SkyTrain or a grade-separated metro.
Media Contact: Daryl Dela Cruz – Founder, SkyTrain for Surrey ・ Phone: +1 604 329 3529, [email protected]
