Monorail Crash

[WalterYensid]

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/19954891/detail.html
CNN reporting: Breaking News: Deadly Disney World Monorail Crash

POSTED: Sunday, July 5, 2009

At 2am Sunday morning, Reedy Creek Emergency Services responded to a call at the Ticket and Transportation Center at the Magic Kingdom. Two monorails collided. 8 people were evaluated total following the crash. One monorail driver was killed. The other driver is fine physically. There were 5 to 6 guests on the monorail at the time of the crash. Disney World Public Relations tells Local 6 that they will release more information later this morning. They are on scene right now gathering information about the incident.

A witness tells Local 6 that he heard a huge crashing noise when the monorails collided. He was able to get pictures and video of frazzled guests walking off the train.

Another report indicates that a moving pink train hit a stationary purple train.

Local 6 has obtained dramatic pictures from the scene of the crash. Stay with Local 6 for more information about this crash.

 

[gracie1]

That is horrible! I would definately have been frazzled getting off the monorail to. This is the first time this has happened on the disney monorail isn't it?

 

[robandkelly13]

OMG! This is terrible. We were living in Seattle when the monorails collided there a few years ago and I thought it was a freak accident. I'm surprized to hear the same thing happened again and this time at WDW.

 

[grace&philipsmom]

It is tragic. Does anyone know, has this ever happened before at WDW? I always thought the monorails were crash proof .

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

The monorail will be shut down until an investigation can be done!

I feel sorry for those who are vacationing and chose to stay at a resort on the monorail line for the convience of having the monorail right onsite and now must use the bus system.

 

[Hans Solo]

The first live report posted on the local news stations

http://www.wftv.com/news/19955324/detail.html

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the monorail driver.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

From: http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2009/7/5/monorail_crash_at_epcot_kills_driver.html
Previous Monorail Accidents

1974
A monorail train crashed into the train ahead of it, injuring a driver and two guests.
June 26, 1985
A fire engulfed the rear car of a monorail train in transit from Epcot to the Transportation and Ticket Center. The train was carrying 240 passengers, 40 of whom were in the burning car.
Passengers in the car kicked out side windows and climbed around the side of the train to reach the roof, where they were subsequently rescued by the Reedy Creek Fire Department.
Seven passengers were hospitalized for smoke inhalation or other minor injuries.
Aug. 30, 1991
A monorail train collided with a diesel maintenance work tractor near Disney’s Contemporary Resort as the tractor drove closely in front of the train to film it for a commercial. Two cast members were treated at a hospital for injuries.
Aug. 12, 1996
An electrical fire broke out on a train pulling into the Magic Kingdom station. The driver and the five passengers onboard exited safely.

It is tragic. Does anyone know, has this ever happened before at WDW? I always thought the monorails were crash proof .

 

[Lewisc]

The monorail will be shut down until an investigation can be done!

I feel sorry for those who are vacationing and chose to stay at a resort on the monorail line for the convience of having the monorail right onsite and now must use the bus system.

I feel sorry for the family of the dead driver.

 

[goofy4tink]

I feel sorry for the family of the dead driver.

Have to agree with you. Those staying at the 'monorail resorts' have to take the bus to Epcot and that's it. They can still get boats to MK. Not a huge hardship. One would assume that Disney will put more boats into operation today.

 

[Cruella 66]

WOW!!!

We're just back from WDW and we were riding up front with a young man who did not seem to take his job as seriously as other drivers do. He told me kids' they could stand with him and to press this button and that; stopped the train mid-rail when the kids' made a silly comment; just really NOT as serious as the other drivers have been.

This was our sixth visit in 9 years so we are veterans and have rode up front many times. My sister also was a driver on the monorails so I have a little inside knowledge from her. She is also very surprised!

 

[redrosesix]

Have to agree with you. Those staying at the 'monorail resorts' have to take the bus to Epcot and that's it. They can still get boats to MK. Not a huge hardship. One would assume that Disney will put more boats into operation today.

I wouldn't want to take the monorail today anyway.

 

[goofy4tink]

I wouldn't want to take the monorail today anyway.

Hadn't thought of that......I'm with you.

 

[mncherokee]

Thoughts and prayers out to all the families and friends involved.

 

[andrewilley]

How awful, my thoughts go out to the family, friends and co-workers of the driver who was tragically killed.

The WDW monorail is one of the safest means of mass-transport in the world, but still whenever you are dealing with moving vehicles there is always the possibility that something can go wrong no matter how careful you are. There is meant to be a fail-safe which stops the train if the track ahead is occupied, so something must have gone seriously wrong; I can't see the service being re-opened for some time.

At least it wasn't between two full trains earlier in the day, or the number of fatalities could have been even worse - imagine if there had been a family riding up front with the driver.

Andre

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

I feel sorry for those who are vacationing and chose to stay at a resort on the monorail line for the convience of having the monorail right onsite and now must use the bus system.

Seriously?? It's a minor inconvenience, as compared to a family which has to bury a loved one.

 

[gkrykewy]

Just saw this on CNN.. very surprising and sad.

 

[MICKEEP]

Seriously?? It's a minor inconvenience, as compared to a family which has to bury a loved one.

I totally agree. I find the post by Shelly F - Ohio absolutely horrible.

Our prayers go out to the family and friends of the driver

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Saw it on CNN, considering how many miles these things run every day, week, month, year, its amazing how safe these are. There are many fortunate things that happened like there was no families sitting in the front nose.

Maybe its time to upgrade the monorails to new ones too, maybe losing to front compartments (yes tragically) will encourage Disney to replace them (still doubtful).

 

[sotoalf]

I totally agree. I find the post by Shelly F - Ohio absolutely horrible.

Our prayers go out to the family and friends of the driver

Let's not get sanctimonious. After the usual, appropriate condolences, a practical question isn't uncalled for.