Driver killed in monorail crash....

[inkkognito]

That poor young man's family will never get that chance again. If it's that much of a concern, then downgrade to a mod. Either way, you (being the complaints I've read) are fortunate enough to be there with your loved ones; appreciate that for what it's worth. Life is too short, and quite often ended too abrubtly, to worry that a monorail being closed (due to a tragic accident) makes your vacation not worth what you're paying.

Amen to that. I have a neighbor who is a cruise director for a major line (not Disney). On one cruise, a crew member fell off the ship. Luckily it was realized with enough time to turn the ship around and save her. But the search and rescue time made the ship late to port, and there were people who threw a fit because their vacation was inconvenienced by the rescue. Yes, even though they were told the circumstances, they were still angry about the ship going back because, heaven forbid, they were late for a shore excursion or had some other issue...lord knows that's so much more important than saving a life.

 

[duketennisgal]

your children are safer in that front monorail car than they are in your own car on a highway. Look at the stats.. this is the first fatality in 38 years. Can you say that for highways? It is a very sad horrible accident. Don't let this accident change your mind on a monorail ride for your children. Think of auto accidents.. they take many lives everyday! and that is a sad fact.

I don't think they were saying that they wouldn't ride the monorail, just that they were giving a second thought to riding up front.

I don't think I'll ride in the front again. Yes it's true that the highways are way more dangerous, but look at it this way. You take precautions when driving a vehicle, you wear a seatbelt, you put your kids in the back seat, etc. Choosing to not ride in the front of the monorail is just a precaution somebody might take, such as wearing a seat belt.

This will in no way stop me from riding the monorail though, just as the crash up in DC isn't going to stop me from riding the Metro when I'm up there.

 

[rgf207]

This has been posted all over the boards the past 2 days.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2221099

 

[sarcasticfiesta]

Ok, sorry, I was just stating that I had just read about it

 

[rgf207]

Ok, sorry, I was just stating that I had just read about it

No problem. Just redirecting you to some threads already posted.

 

[SassyCat]

There was nothing even mentioned on any channel in the hotel rooms or in the papers we got the next morning. CM just told us there was an incident and they could make no further comment.

My heart goes out to the families involved. You could tell that the Disney employees were having a hard time keeping a cheery face under such sad circumstances. It was very odd seeing the Magic Kingdom all aglow and not see the monorails running along the tracks. A very odd and sad way to end a Disney trip.

We were also at Disney this weekend staying at the Wilderness Lodge. The way we found out about the accident was when we turned the room tv on as we were getting ready to go to MK rope drop. I can't remember what channel DH put it on, but I think it was CNN Headline News. I just stood there, shocked, with my mouth open for a couple of minutes. Then I went around the room repeating "I can't believe this happened."

I def agree it was very eerie not seeing a single monorail going around. The monorail has become such a disney icon. I was just talking to hubby on this trip how I see it as an important aspect of our trips (we usually stay at a monorail hotel). Being on the monorail to me is as important as seeing the castle in the park, you know? Even though it was naive of me, I never questioned whether the monorails were safe (but I am scared to death of the buses - they do not feel very safe to me and the drivers I have ridden with have gone WAY TOO FAST). I have always felt safe on the monorails. I will ride them again, but this just really makes you question it.

I am so sorry for the CM and his family.

As we left on the Magical Express on Sunday, we saw a lone monorail sitting on the track near Epcot. It was really weird and freaky.

If this accident were going to happen, I am glad it did not happen when there was a lot of people on the monorail. As horrible as what did happen was, I cannot imagine the scope of the tragedy if it had been a few hours earlier while the monorails were full.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I don't think they were saying that they wouldn't ride the monorail, just that they were giving a second thought to riding up front.

I don't think I'll ride in the front again. Yes it's true that the highways are way more dangerous, but look at it this way. You take precautions when driving a vehicle, you wear a seatbelt, you put your kids in the back seat, etc. Choosing to not ride in the front of the monorail is just a precaution somebody might take, such as wearing a seat belt.

This will in no way stop me from riding the monorail though, just as the crash up in DC isn't going to stop me from riding the Metro when I'm up there.

gotcha.. I took it as ride it period... sorry.. I can see that being someones "precaution" as in a seatbelt...

 

[rgf207]

I have not read this entire post but I found this online and thought it was interesting.

The following statement is not mine and I honestly don't know who it is from exactly but it sheds some light on how this accident might have happened.

I read it and it does seem possible that this could be the cause.

"I am a Seasonal CM and was a CP, and I would like to shed some light on the process for removing trains from the Epcot Beam.

Monorail Pink would be "deadheaded" at Concourse, meaning the Pilot announces that the train is going out of service and must be fully unloaded. The pilot walks through the train to ensure this, then closes the doors and goes back to Cab 1 (normal driving cab for Epcot.) At this point the conversation goes similar to this:

"Central, Monorail Pink is deadheaded at Concourse."
"10-4, Normal Visual to Pylon 30, hold at notify Central"

Pink then continues out in forward to Pylon 30, which places the end of his train (Cab 6) just past the switch point to take trains from Epcot to Express. Once Pink gets to 30 and notifies Central, Central radios shop to move "Switches 8 and 9 to the Spur Line, with power." This is where something went wrong last night. Either Shop didnt comply, Central didn't call, or something malfunctioned. Either way, something went wrong at this point last night.

Central will also call Purple and say

"Monorail Purple you are Normal Visual [if you have a green MAPO and no visual obstructions ahead, go ahead] to Pylon 379, hold and notify."

Pylon 379 is the primary holdpoint for Concourse, meaning if a train is at the station, the train behind will stop at Pylon 379. Pylon 379 is right over the handicapped parking, by the way.

Last night, from what I have been told by people who had radios on them (and switching is really the only interesting thing going on at 2am) that Pink was "Clear to use MAPO Override, in reverse, through 9, through 8, THROUGH BASE, through Poly, through Grand Flo to the Magic Kingdom, switch ends" meaning, had the switches been aligned properly, Pink would have been expecting to reverse COMPLETELY through Base on Express and all the way to the MK. "CLEAR" from Central means you GO. Even if you get an MBS, you MAPO override. Clear is as good as gold, when given from Central.

By this point, Purple has reached 379 and notified so. Central will then say "Purple you are normal visual to pylon 385 [directly above the tram station] then MAPO Override to reach Concourse, hold and notify."

Purple has to MAPO Override because, had the switches been aligned to the spur, there would have been a gap ahead of Purple, which would have given an RED MBS, even though Purple only needed to reach Concourse.

So IN MY OPINION, last night Pink was coming in Reverse in MAPO Override (as required to pass over a switch) but instead of being on the Spur Line, was in fact still on Epcot beam. I do not know why the Pilot did not realize this, but that is not for me to debate. At the same time, Purple was MAPO Overriding from pylon 385. The pilots did not realize their RED MBS was not from a switch being open, but in fact due to the other train. So Pink came through Concourse at 15mph in reverse (as restricted by computers) as Purple was approaching Concourse in forward, in MAPO Override, just past pylon 385 (as indicated by the photos showing it past the tram loading area) and this is where the collision I believe occured.

I have tried to be as factual about the switching process as I can without being too confusing, and the last paragraph was pure speculation, although I feel I have some credence as I took trains to shop nearly every night. Either way, it is a tragedy that a Cast Member was killed, and I can't imagine what the other driver must be feeling, as well as everyone else involved."

 

[disneyphotomom]

How long had he been a monorail pilot? My family rode upfront in August and i was curious if he was the pilot.

 

[SandrA9810]

That's really helpful. I've sat in the cab listening to the radio during a switch. If the parks are busy they sometimes take away from the resort to use for express/epcot line. It's always interesting listening to it all.
Of course it's even better when the driver explains to you what exactly is going on.

And official word from disney at 2pm, the monorails are operational again. OSHA has finished thier investigation of the monorails and all safety checks have been thoroughly gone over. I'm hoping by this evening they'll give another official announcement.

 

[black562]

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Disney has re-opened the monorails with additional safety procedures in place during monorail switches. They have indicated that the accident did in fact take place during a switch as indicated in the CM's post. This makes much sense given that during these switches is when the MAPO systems are in override mode and thus allow the trains to be in such close proximity. Given the nature of how the accident happened, and that it wasn't a technical failure of the MAPO system...they were cleared to re-open the lines.

 

[MAGICX2]

First of all, let me say how deeply saddend I am by this tragedy. My heart goes out to CM Austin's family in their time of loss.

Secondly, I have seen the video footage and understand why the Moderators chose to remove it from the boards. It is upsetting to know that there is a person trapped in the cab, possibly dead, but very possibly still suffering.

However, I do not view this video footage as "graphic." Basically it shows the two trains had collided. Until you are told so, you do not know that there is a person trapped inside. It does not show the actual collision nor does it show the rescue/extraction effort. I commend the CM for telling the filmer to stop tapping as I am sure he was aware of the possiblities for the CM inside. I was deeply saddend when watching the footage to know that there was a person trapped. However, I did not think the footage showed anything "graphic" in nature. Maybe there is other footage that I have not watched and that is what everyone is referring to.

 

[Traveliz]

First of all, let me say how deeply saddend I am by this tragedy. My heart goes out to CM Austin's family in their time of loss.

Secondly, I have seen the video footage and understand why the Moderators chose to remove it from the boards. It is upsetting to know that there is a person trapped in the cab, possibly dead, but very possibly still suffering.

However, I do not view this video footage as "graphic." Basically it shows the two trains had collided. Until you are told so, you do not know that there is a person trapped inside. It does not show the actual collision nor does it show the rescue/extraction effort. I commend the CM for telling the filmer to stop tapping as I am sure he was aware of the possiblities for the CM inside. I was deeply saddend when watching the footage to know that there was a person trapped. However, I did not think the footage showed anything "graphic" in nature. Maybe there is other footage that I have not watched and that is what everyone is referring to.

The footage I have seen here and every other board/news outlet is the exact same footage that has been on every newscast on the local news here in Orlando since it was released. I agree that it is sad to know the outcome is not positive but it is not graphic.

Liz

 

[Thumper & Bambi]

It still isn't very clear yet (at least I haven't seen anything) where it has been confirmed that actual impact occured in station or past the station. I think it has been determined that Pink was in reverse and hit Purple, but I don't think it has been determined how exactly and where. From the video (by the evil onlooker ) It looks as if the train had just been pushed back to get the family out and therefore the accident may have occured outside the station. I do hope Disney will explain what happened.

I can not make sense of the timeline either. There are a series of three photos that show the monorails wrecked over the TTC ticketbooths. Then there is the horrible video that shows them at the platform. How can the photos show the cabs locked together outside the station and the video showing them inside? I have read several of the cm's statements and explanations. If purple was unloading as some have said, then how can we explain the photos of the trains outside over the TTC booths? Did the crash occur outside the platform and pink push the purple back into the station? I just can not fit the photos and the video together with what has been formulated. I hope we can get a clearer picture of what happened. Any thoughts?

 

[Renee1061]

I can not make sense of the timeline either. There are a series of three photos that show the monorails wrecked over the TTC ticketbooths. Then there is the horrible video that shows them at the platform. How can the photos show the cabs locked together outside the station and the video showing them inside? I have read several of the cm's statements and explanations. If purple was unloading as some have said, then how can we explain the photos of the trains outside over the TTC booths? Did the crash occur outside the platform and pink push the purple back into the station? I just can not fit the photos and the video together with what has been formulated. I hope we can get a clearer picture of what happened. Any thoughts?

What I have read earlier is that the crash occurred inside the station...at the loading platform. The trains were then backed up to allow the driver of Monorail Pink to exit his train.

 

[SandrA9810]

As some one said earlier, pink was backed up to allow the pink driver out. It seems strange how the two could still move.

I'm thinking though that the video came first right after it happened. Because from all the witnesses, they heard the crash at the station, and ran up to see what happened.
The most likely scenerio of the pink switching, then purple would be on hold at the station loading that family on.
It makes no sense that there would be a family coming from Epcot since the park was long cleared. But it does make sense that they were going to Epcot parking. So they must have just got on board before it happened. It's also possible that Austin had just sat down in the pilot's seat when the impact happened. Because some of the stories say that the family on board and other guests were then transported to Epcot parking by bus.
After they were evacuated off the platform, that's when pink moved back and they were able to capture that picture. I know it seems like the pic came first because there's photos of the door open, but they would've had to shut the door to get it out of the station. Even in the photos the hinges of the door weren't broken and they didn't remove it completly. That's why you also see the tops of people's heads standing there (the white glare at the bottom of the photo). If the accident just occured the video would've been of the trains outside the station and people running up. But people heard the crash then ran up to the station. As to why many people assumed the purple ran into the back of pink, no one saw it happen (well any guests).

 

[Renee1061]

Ever since hearing of this tragedy, I have been experiencing very surreal feelings, almost as if I knew the young man who died. I suppose this is, in part, because we just recently returned from WDW (June 20-27) and rode the monorail numerous times. I suppose there is even a high probability that Austin was our pilot at some point.

Then, this morning, I walk into my office and see the framed picture from our recent trip on my desk. I had forgotten that the train in the picture was Monorail Pink. We were about to head to Epcot, so the picture was taken in approximately the exact location of the crash.

I have never really given the monorail pilots a second thought before. But I know I will from now on. And I have a feeling that I will never be able to ride the monorail again without thinking about Austin. My prayers go out to his family and friends.

 

[glitzybabes]

This video was posted a few mins ago on you tube. So sad...made me cry so watch with caution



Nevermind. I see that it was just repost from others

 

[Thumper & Bambi]

As some one said earlier, pink was backed up to allow the pink driver out. It seems strange how the two could still move.

I'm thinking though that the video came first right after it happened. Because from all the witnesses, they heard the crash at the station, and ran up to see what happened.
The most likely scenerio of the pink switching, then purple would be on hold at the station loading that family on.
It makes no sense that there would be a family coming from Epcot since the park was long cleared. But it does make sense that they were going to Epcot parking. So they must have just got on board before it happened. It's also possible that Austin had just sat down in the pilot's seat when the impact happened. Because some of the stories say that the family on board and other guests were then transported to Epcot parking by bus.
After they were evacuated off the platform, that's when pink moved back and they were able to capture that picture. I know it seems like the pic came first because there's photos of the door open, but they would've had to shut the door to get it out of the station. Even in the photos the hinges of the door weren't broken and they didn't remove it completly. That's why you also see the tops of people's heads standing there (the white glare at the bottom of the photo). If the accident just occured the video would've been of the trains outside the station and people running up. But people heard the crash then ran up to the station. As to why many people assumed the purple ran into the back of pink, no one saw it happen (well any guests).

Thanks for the quick response, but I have a few more questions. 1)I can not imagine that they would allow the trains to be moved before an investigation just to remove the first driver. Any ladder fire truck could get him quickly out. 2) if the photos are after they pushed the trains back out of the station, why is there not more damage to the purple? I would imagine that rescue would have cut up the cab to get the driver out. I have seen cars after an extracation, the saws and jaws do a lot of damage needed to get into the space for the rescue. The photos show no more damage than the video. Again, just my thoughts. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all CM's that make the magic live everyday.

 

[SandrA9810]

Well it is only one side of the monorail. And since there is no Austin in any of the pics from that side, it's very likely they started cutting out from the other side. If I'm not mistaken, there's no guard rails on the other side like it is on the loading side. Probably easier to get the equipment on the unload side. There's not one photo of the other side.
The crash probably killed the power to the purple monorail, there for allowing it to be "towed" by the pink one. Once the fireman tried got the door open on the unload side they probably thought it best to work on the otherside. It's possiible too that they discovered the body and knew that there wasn't anything for them to be able to do for the kid, so they let the other person out before continuing the removal.
Another reason for them to work on the unload side is in case the resort line was still running and had to drop off any remaining guest aboard it. They didn't want them to see anything horrific from thier view.
I know from being the last out of the park, they usually only run the resort line so they can proceed with shut down for the night that happens off the express line. Resort doesn't have to interfer it.