Driver killed in monorail crash....

[disneyfav4ever]

I will also happily use the monorail system in the future. To tell you the truth, I think the buses are a lot scarier than the monorail could ever be. And, I would have no problem riding the buses as well.

Three trips ago there was a fire on one of the buses I was on. It didn't stop me from riding the buses again, I was on them again the very next morning.

 

[joy13]

My friends and I have had this discussion as well.

I'm sure at some point the news will say it was due to the driver texting. This isn't possible since the monorail has many redundant systems that (a) prevent it from going too fast, (b) prevent it from going too fast into a station and (c) prevent it from getting too close to another car. Even if the override is engaged by the driver, it will only allow it to go a very slow speed (used to change tracks and other maintanance issues.

So even if he was texting, sleeping, whatever...the system should've taken care of it, so texting wasn't the cause.

Sorry, I just wanted to get my rant out in the open as the news tends to spin these things out of control and not research and actually use their brains to think about something before writing it.

Once again, his family is in my thoughts.

It's been reported in this thread what most likely happened, so I don't think texting will be reported - it had nothing to do with it.

 

[BoardWalkBelle]

Actually, Disney is very strict about on stage CM'sNOT having their cell phones with them while on stage. So even if the media were to claim this, with disney's strict policy, it is highly doubtful they woild find anything with cell phone usage caused this.

 

[Anglefan]

It's been reported in this thread what most likely happened, so I don't think texting will be reported - it had nothing to do with it.

It would be nice if you'd link to it so we don't have to read through 20 plus pages of the same post over and over.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I was so shocked to hear about the accident this morning. I feel so sorry for his family and our Disney family too. My thoughts and prayers go out to them all.

 

[moburg]

It would be nice if you'd link to it so we don't have to read through 20 plus pages of the same post over and over.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32569076&postcount=177

 

[wendyt_ca]

DH told me about this today at work and I was very shocked and incredibly sad for the driver. He was so young and this is very Tragic my thoughts with his friends and family.

 

[smidgy]

In any transportation accident "driver error" is automatically looked into as well as anything else. but I hate seeing so many people assume this is the case. his age of 21 does not make him irresponsible. people mentioned partying the night before, texting, etc. also fatigue, just because it was 2 AM. Many people work 2nd or 3rd shifts(myself included), and are not fatigued at all. (2 AM to us is like 5 PM to "normal" 1st shift workers.)
It is a terrible accident. I feel bad for him and his family. I'm sure Disney will do whatever necessary, and when they get the monorail up and running again, I'm sure it will be safe.

 

[flyinglizard]

The young man that was killed was a college program guy with only a month left to go. He was 21... From one of the CM's who worked with him.

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

not that it matters at a time like this, but how long do they expect to have the monorails down? and heaven help the first guest who has the nerve to lodge a complaint with guest services!

 

[livndisney]

The young man that was killed was a college program guy with only a month left to go...

From local 6:

Wuennenberg listed his position as "Monorail Pilot," a role he had held since October 2008. He described his job as "running the highway in the sky!" The Facebook page also stated that Wuennenberg worked at Disney in "Sunset Attractions" from June 2006 to September 2008. His interests included video games, computers, programming and comedy.

 

[Robo]

not that it matters at a time like this, but how long do they expect to have the monorails down?

Word is: Down at least thru tomorrow (July 6.)

 

[WaltD4Me]

Actually, Disney is very strict about on stage CM'sNOT having their cell phones with them while on stage. So even if the media were to claim this, with disney's strict policy, it is highly doubtful they woild find anything with cell phone usage caused this.

Does Disney not allow CM's to bring cell phones on stage at all or can they bring them, but not have them out and use them?

I ask because in May I did the Backstage Tour and we were in Epcot before opening and I saw a CM that looked liked he was texting. I asked our guide later about CM's having cell phones and she said they were allowed to bring with them to their positions on stage, but were not allowed to have them out in sight or to use them.

 

[black562]

That description makes a great deal of sense. I didn't realize one train could've been backing up. In that case I feel sorry for the poor guy driving the other train, he has to live with that...and it wasn't his fault obviously if they told him to back up...assuming that's what happened.

I feel sorry for every CM up there because I'm sure they are all replaying this in their minds...lots of "what ifs".

Sad sad day indeed.

 

[Tinkerbelle92306]

I can't believe this happened.

 

[Csaks]

And it's amazing they can still get those things to move crunched together like that.

Do you think they'll replace the front cabs and continue to use both trains or are they both going to the monorail graveyard like the one from the crash in 85??

I was reading a CM site and the monorail operators over there are describing the nose cones on them as mostly fibreglass to the bulkhead behind the driver with the main car frame rails starting at that location. So I understand how 15mph on override could do all that crush damage to both cars.

I'm sure that they can be repaired and maybe change the colors on them.

My thoughts go out to both drivers and their respective families. I am sure this will haunt the survivor for the rest of his life even if he told to reverse by control. He will be forever second guessing himself, wondering if there was anything he could have done differently.

 

[DiznyDi]

A new star shines in heaven tonight. This young mans life will continue to shine through all that knew and loved him. Hugs and prayers to the family

 

[Jobie]

After watching the video posted on youtube, I am certain that WDW is going to do a redesign of the monorail trains. They had no easy way into the pilot's car. I do not remeber corrrectly, but you can not even access the pilot from the first attached car. Very sad knowing and seeing that he was trapped in there. My heart goes out to his family.

 

[BridetobeDisney]

This is so sad. I just wanted to send my thoughts and prayers to Austin's family and to the CM who backed into Purple. I can't imagine the guilt and pain he is probably feeling.

 

[stacy6552]

Info on the safety system:


A red MAPO will also occur when the pilot approaches a section of un-powered beam, a spur line, or a switch beam thrown in the direction of a spur line. Pilots must engage the MAPO override when moving trains through a switch to the spur line. MAPOs occurring due to safety tests, switching, or beam power loss do not count as demerits against the pilot.

I wonder if there was some kind of misunderstanding either with the pilot himself or in communication with someone. Since it happened at the TTC, I bet he overrode the MAPO because he thought he was switching over to another track and it wasn't switched in the right direction.