http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/man_slips_off_platform_hit_by_nj_Ynx5eGQN28MTRs2Uk7u2gI
Early Sunday morning a man in New Jersey was hit by a transit train when he fell off the platform and landed on the tracks. The Red Bank, New Jersey transit system spokesperson, John D'Urso said the man simply slipped and fell down onto the track. The man, whose name has not been released was hit by North Jersey Coast Line Train number 7208. Thankfully he suffered only a broken leg. No passengers or crew members were injured during this incident. Our mystery man was brought to the hospital and is in stable condition.
This story doesn't concern any of us (unless you're related to this man and if you are then I apologize.) But what is concerning about this article is the lack of safety measures on train platforms. Even though this was just an accident it could have been avoided with a fence as simplistic as ones found in petting zoos. If there was even just one bar dividing the edge of the platform from the area where people mill about waiting for their trains most if not all accidents like this could be avoided. Just imagine if instead of a busy New Jersey business man who slipped up this article was about a curious child who thought he saw a shiny quarter down on the tracks. Now you're hoping this article is short enough that you can get to the comics without crying. As far as I'm concerned there is only one completely safe train platform in the world, platform 9 and 3 quarters at king's crossing. a brick wall sure is tough to get through. But in conclusion even the most simplistic safety measures can help us avoid more of these accidents.
I agree with you Mitch completely. It really would not take much at all to install guard rails. It isn't like it's a one time thing where someone has fallen on to the tracks and been injured. You hear about incidents like this quite often on the news. Wouldn't it be worth it to put some guard rails up? It would essentially save some lives, so doesn't that make it worth it already?
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