Driver killed in monorail crash....

[inkkognito]

I heard he was very close to his mother and it just breaks my heart....He sounded like a wonderful young man. The photo of his smiling face sitting on the monorail he loved just devestates me...Iam not usually affected so much by tragedies..but this has really upset me.

On Fox News last night, they interviewed his aunt, who said that he often worked late and had a system so his mom would know he had arrived home safely when she woke. She would leave the TV on, and he would turn it off when he got in. When she woke up and saw it off, she knew he was safely in bed. The aunt broke down into tears when she said his mom saw that TV on that day and immediately knew something was wrong...that just gave me chills.

 

[pioneer89]

One thing is fairly certain. OSHA is going to have a field day with this.

Much like a lot of the other assumptions presented earlier in this thread, I suggest that this is premature.

Could be true, but currently it's a prediction with little evidence.

 

[inkkognito]

There is a video made by a former monorail pilot with captions saying how the accident might have happened: http://bit.ly/TWhFb

While it seems like it's probably fairly accurate, I don't like how he makes assumptions on who is at fault. That will all come out in due time, and I can just imagine how badly everyone involved is hurting. But it's rather interesting to see his breakdown of the incident. It lines up with the other things I've read so far.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I agree, the guy seems sincere, and I am sure it will give some comfort to his family to know that people tried to help their son and also to know that (so it seems) he was not suffering.

Also, as for as the "7 people up front" part, news people are only human and misquote things all the time. I know one time my daughter who does a lot of charity work for Locks of Love was telling about an even she hosted. She was saying how we had little kids and older people, and she said we had a biker dude, ZZ Top looking type come and give his pony tail, and she showed photos includng that man. Well didn't they report it on the news that night that the guy donated his beard. Of course he didn't, but it was misunderstood. It could very well have been the guy was saying there was a family in the first car behind the river and was misreported. Of course, it is jsut a thought, but honestly while many people seem to be trying to get their 15 minutes, this guy seemed to really care, JMO...

 

[jodeeb]

Has it been said who the driver was who was driving the other train? I'm sure it's been really rough on him/her.

We were there just a little over a week ago and rode up front many times. We really enjoyed it and the Pilots were so nice. DD(6) loved the special treatment and would ask every time to sit in the front. Not to mention the great view. We were amazed at how many times CMs would say no one had asked yet, so if it is empty we could ride up front.

I think they were wise to suspend riding in the front for a while. Just for respect to CM Pilots, who have big hearts and desearve some room to grieve.

That being said, if my family and I ever get another chance to sit in front again, I would not hesitate. Needless to say, many of us will remember Austin evry time we ride in front.

My heart goes to Austins family, friends and co workers.

 

[Silver Queen]

As the mother of a young adult son I am so saddened by this tragedy. He looked like a fine young man and I cannot imagine his family's pain. After the controversy on the previous page of this post I made it a point to watch the WESH video. First of all I do not see the would be hero relishing his participation in the interview. In the course of my job responsibilities I have been interviewed on camera a number of times and it isn't always easy to act natural. Secondly, the comment about being in the front cabin with a pilot and seven other people was made by the reporter, not the witness. Once again, having experienced first hand how both newspaper and TV reporters can misquote and misinterpret their interviewees I am quite sure the error was on her part. After all, why would the man have said something that is so obviously incorrect and would be recognized as such by anyone who knows Disney?
There's been so much sadness as a result of this tragedy, let's give a little grace.

 

[TJM1976]

The possible case is shown in the picture below. This is also what former pilots have also said on local Orlando news stations. I've read previous posts that some were confused about it. Again, nothing has been confirmed and investigations are still under way. I just wanted to post this diagram to help others understand. This was taken from www.cfnews13.com
Pink was in process of switching from the EPCOT beam to the MK beam. For some reason, the beam switch did not take place. Pink should have been on the Spur beam (indicated in yellow) which the monorail would be in reverse direction (backing up) and would take it to the TTC MK beam where another beam switch would occur to put Pink on the MK beam. Once on the MK beam it would switch to another beam to go to the monorail barn / garage (this beam switch is located between the Contemporary Resort at the MK) . If you notice, the Spur beam and the EPCOT beam are fairly close together. Austin was the pilot of Purple.

Here is a Google Map link. If you do a satellite view and zoom in, you can get a better detail view of the area.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=topiary+ln,+bay+lake,+fl&sll=28.406689,-81.578615&sspn=0.004511,0.006877&ie=UTF8&ll=28.406864,-81.578207&spn=0.002255,0.003439&t=h&z=18

 

[Tigger_Tina]

im still so shocked. i give my sympathies to the family.

 

[inkkognito]

Have y'all seen the guest video of Austin? I just found that the Sentinel had it and posted a little piece on it: http://bit.ly/wyjzX

It was shot last Tuesday, and it really puts a "face" on Austin. You can see his personality shining through as he jokes around with the family riding in the front with him. Even though it was making me teary, knowing what was coming for him in a few days, I had to laugh out loud when he said the monorail runs on "Magic....(pause)....and electricity." What a neat guy and what a terrible loss.

 

[hmansure]

Just back from a 12 day stay at WDW. We briefly met Austin during this trip as me and two of my kids rode with him in the cab. In all of our prior trips we never rode with the driver. He spoke to my kids about the safety features - mostly discussing what happens if they travel too fast. He gave the kids "co-pilot" cards that they appreciated.

Very sad.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Have y'all seen the guest video of Austin? I just found that the Sentinel had it and posted a little piece on it: http://bit.ly/wyjzX

It was shot last Tuesday, and it really puts a "face" on Austin. You can see his personality shining through as he jokes around with the family riding in the front with him. Even though it was making me teary, knowing what was coming for him in a few days, I had to laugh out loud when he said the monorail runs on "Magic....(pause)....and electricity." What a neat guy and what a terrible loss.

That's so sad. It's obvious from the video that he really enjoyed his job. Such an emotional video to watch knowing what happens a few days later.

 

[ppony]

Have y'all seen the guest video of Austin? I just found that the Sentinel had it and posted a little piece on it: http://bit.ly/wyjzX

It was shot last Tuesday, and it really puts a "face" on Austin. You can see his personality shining through as he jokes around with the family riding in the front with him. Even though it was making me teary, knowing what was coming for him in a few days, I had to laugh out loud when he said the monorail runs on "Magic....(pause)....and electricity." What a neat guy and what a terrible loss.

Okay... I cried. Beautiful young man's life cut so short.

 

[ReelBigFish419]

Man, that's sad and seeing how nice of a guy he was makes it sadder.

I'm still a bit confused though, was Austin in Monorail Pink or Purple?

 

[Eljay]

Have y'all seen the guest video of Austin? I just found that the Sentinel had it and posted a little piece on it: http://bit.ly/wyjzX

It was shot last Tuesday, and it really puts a "face" on Austin. You can see his personality shining through as he jokes around with the family riding in the front with him. Even though it was making me teary, knowing what was coming for him in a few days, I had to laugh out loud when he said the monorail runs on "Magic....(pause)....and electricity." What a neat guy and what a terrible loss.

Oh my gosh, I didn't expect this video to effect me so much.
This seriously brought tears.

 

[mrsksomeday]

I am sitting here tears streaming down my face. He was one of those castmembers that spread the magic.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Man, that's sad and seeing how nice of a guy he was makes it sadder.

I'm still a bit confused though, was Austin in Monorail Pink or Purple?

I think it was purple, and pink backed into it.

 

[ReelBigFish419]

I think it was purple, and pink backed into it.

ok thanks

 

[Belle & Ariel]

Have y'all seen the guest video of Austin? I just found that the Sentinel had it and posted a little piece on it: http://bit.ly/wyjzX

It was shot last Tuesday, and it really puts a "face" on Austin. You can see his personality shining through as he jokes around with the family riding in the front with him. Even though it was making me teary, knowing what was coming for him in a few days, I had to laugh out loud when he said the monorail runs on "Magic....(pause)....and electricity." What a neat guy and what a terrible loss.

Thank you for sharing that. Please pass a Kleenex.

Disney has lost a great CM.

 

[mama4]

My three sons rode up front with Austin when we were there in April. My 18 yo son remarked about how young he was for a monorail driver and that he was a really nice guy. I feel so sad for him and his family.

 

[soupy11]

Wow, that video was tough to sit through. What a great guy, wish I could have met him.