Train track tragedy spurs pols to action

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Train track tragedy spurs pols to action

Thor Jourgensen / The Daily Item

REVERE - Oak Island's City Councilor said safety improvements may be needed at a commuter rail crossing where a 5-year-old neighborhood boy was struck and killed by a train Sunday afternoon.

Stephen Garbarino, 5, was crossing the tracks just before 2 p.m. with his mother, Sherry, and other children when a northbound train struck him.

"This is the worst nightmare any parent can have," said Ward 5 Councilor John Powers, who added, "From what I've heard, the gates were working properly. But is there enough of a gate there? Is it set up for pedestrians?"

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority runs about 64 trains to and from Boston through the crossing each weekday and 26 on weekends.

MBTA spokesman Joseph Pesaturo Tuesday said "all elements of the crossing's warning system performed exactly as designed at the time of the incident. Bells were ringing, lights were flashing and the gates were in the down position."

But Powers, who lives near the tracks, wants T and city officials to determine if the gate is designed to ensure vehicles and pedestrians cannot cross the tracks when a train is coming.

"Does the gate go completely across," he asked. "Is there any opening?"

Two other councilors, John Correggio and Daniel Rizzo, plan to file a motion for review at next Monday's council meeting calling for increased safety measures in Oak Island. Correggio said the pair wants train speeds reduced and more safety warning signs posted near the crossing.

Pesaturo said speed was not a factor in the fatal accident and said trains throughout the commuter rail system are allowed to travel at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.

Powers acknowledged that the MBTA has cooperated with neighborhood requests to limit the use of train horns in Oak Island. Pesaturo noted that train engineers sound horns as "a safety measure that is widely employed at other crossings to alert people to the fact that a train is approaching."

Initial reports indicated the train that struck Garbarino sounded its whistle.

Powers said the last fatal train accident in Oak Island took the life of a child 30 years ago.

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Reader Comments

Comments so far on this story:

bill flynn wrote on May 29, 2008 1:53 PM:

" My 8 siblings and I were raised on Woodland Rd from 1951, six born there. It was dangerous then as it is now. No child has been injured or lost it's life at that RR crossing in my memory. I was profoundly disturbed to learn of the recent tragedy that occured there.

My sympathy and prayers are for the family of the child as well as the engineer of the train. "

Colleen S wrote on May 28, 2008 4:53 PM:

" #1 yes i believe any train anywhere should be able to blow the horns no matter what time of day or night.We complain when they do blow the horn we complain when they dont.People need to stop complaining of stupid stuff. This kid #1 should know not to go around the bells and whistles when they go off for a train.It s horrible what happened but he choose to ignor the signs that trains were coming even if the train blew the horn and went 30MPH your forgetting the kid went around the warning signals "

Lindaellen wrote on May 28, 2008 1:30 PM:

" This neighborhood chose to NOT have train horns sound when a train is coming. While the horns can be loud, they are there for a reason. If the neighborhood hadn't chosen to limit train operators use of horns, the child would be alive today. The children, who chose to cross the tracks around the gates, would have heard the horn. People need to use the safety measures we have available, no excuses! "

I Remember that... wrote on May 28, 2008 12:55 PM:

" Powers is mistaken regarding the death of the little boy 30 years ago. That child was hit at Revere Street (where there is no crossing). He was walking/playing on the tracks. In this case, the people simply ignored the warning lights, bells and gates. Also, it is not reasonable to assume that the coast is clear if the gates are still down and flashing. "

Misty wrote on May 28, 2008 12:51 PM:

" All of the signals and bells in the world will not help if children and adults ignore them and go around the gates! Why can't we just take responsibility for our children. Oak Island is a dangerous neighborhood with North Shore Road on one side and the tracks on the other (never mind the myriad *other* activites that pose dangers to children in that neighborhood). We simply need to teach our children to understand and respect these dangers. Powers should be more worried about the drug epidemic in Oak Island. "

Joan wrote on May 28, 2008 12:08 PM:

" People - where is your compassion? Who among us has not looked away from a child for a split second. Kids are fast and parents are only human. How The tracks are right is a crowded residential area, and the residents must take for granted the trains as part of everyday life. One train had passed and it is not unreasonable to think the coast is clear. Be kind. My sympathy goes to the family of this beautiful child. It was a horrible accident. His mother will re-live the nightmare all the days of her life. My prayers to you. "

jay_chris wrote on May 28, 2008 10:48 AM:

" typical "knee jerk" reaction from a politician...

those gates could be fortified with ray guns and someone will find a way to get across!

leave this tragedy alone and stop adding fuel to the fire! "

John Mc wrote on May 28, 2008 10:30 AM:

" Why does everyone insist on blaming the train when accidents like this happen? We teach our children not to walk into the street, but forget to tell them not to walk on train tracks? We have gates down, red lights flashing, and a bell going off. That isn't enough to tell anyone "Stay off these tracks"? You don't go around closed gates. period. (oh, an a train at 30pmh is as deadly as one at 70mph) "

recyclingman wrote on May 28, 2008 9:47 AM:

" people are going to do various things to save time. usually it doesnt end in tragedy. how many people speed through yellow lights or dont wear seat belts. this woman made a conscious decision to cross a gated track. what about personal responsibility? "

Responsible wrote on May 28, 2008 9:17 AM:

" It isn't realistic to expect to use technology to prevent every tragedy. No matter how fool-proof you make something, a bigger fool always comes along. Rather than changing all the gates on the rail lines, I propose that parents teach their children to stay away from the tracks when the lights start flashing and the gate closes. Take responsibility. That's a very simple, inexpensive, and effective solution. "

Deuce wrote on May 28, 2008 8:53 AM:

" Great Job City Counselors. Let's wait for a child to get killed, and then fix the gates. I need their job. Do nothing until something bad happens. In this case horrific. If those empty suits got off there buts and fixed that gate when it was broken this child would be at school with friends right now. So sorry to the family. Horrible accident that should have been prevented. "

Franni Mac wrote on May 28, 2008 8:52 AM:

" To have a train go 60 mph through a neighbor hood is crazy even if you sound the horn where is your time to react the MBTA needs to step up and make this community safer for the children in the area "

Elmer wrote on May 28, 2008 8:40 AM:

" Even the most elaborate crossing gates can't prevent determined pedestrians from going around or under them. Only a grade separation (bridge or tunnel) can eliminate the danger, but they are much more expensive to build.

Our politicians should really be clamoring for the Blue Line extension to Lynn; it would be grade separated and reduce or eliminate Commuter Rail traffic from Boston to Lynn.

Unless you think gas prices will be getting cheaper, Blue Line service would be a boon to Lynn, increasing our property values and improving our quality of life in many ways.

Elmer "

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