MARCH 16, 2015
BUECHEL, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY (WDRB)
Two people are dead and two more in critical condition after
a train plows into a car around 4 p.m. Saturday.
Chita Chuwan, 16, and Suk Man Rai, 19, were pronounced dead
at the scene at 4:09 p.m., according to the coroner. They were Nepal refugees enjoying their
freedom in the states. And then they
became reckless and died- how come they did not hear the horns and the flashing
signals?. Too bad. They will not do this again, for sure.
Chuwan was the front seat passenger, and Rai was the back
seat passenger on the right.
Both died of multiple blunt force injuries.
“All I heard was glass breaking - the bumper flying off on
the other side of the crossing,” Anthony Collman told WDRB News.
As train enthusiasts, Collman and Logan Bennett were
photographing the passing train and ended up witnessing the whole crash and
catching it on camera. In their video, the train can be seen coming down the
tracks. The train horn and crossing signals easily heard, but for the white car
and its four passengers, it wasn't enough.
“It was just very devastating, eerie kind of feeling when
that took place. I've never seen anything like that or witnessed it before,”
said Collman.
The car was pushed in front of the train for about half a
mile according to police. Two passengers were killed and police say two others
were taken to the hospital where they were listed in critical condition.
Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) officials confirmed
to WDRB's Toni Konz that all four passengers in the car were JCPS students.
Chuwan attended Seneca High School, and Rai attended Fern
Creek High School.
The other two passengers, who suffered serious injuries,
attend Waggener and Iroquois High School.
Officials say grief counselors will be available at school
on Monday.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that a white Toyota that
was attempting to cross the train tracks apparently disregarded the traffic
control signs in the area and was struck by a Union Pacific train,” said LMPD
Spokesman Dwight Mitchell.
“The car did not slow down whatsoever. I did not see any
brake lights whatsoever on the car,” Collman said.
The initial impact happened at the Buechel and Crawford
Avenues crossing, closing many streets along the tracks for hours. Those
witnessing the car being pushed along at 43 miles per hour before coming to a
stop, say they are left in shock.
“First when it happened, you're like… you kind of step back
and what just happened?” said Senid Begic.
Collman says a bigger issue needs to be addressed.
“There needs to be crossing gates because of the curvature
of this road. There needs to be gates put at this crossing,” said Collman.
Collman adds lights and signal horns just aren't enough.
The LMPD Traffic Unit is investigating the crash.
"It's a big loss. It's really a big loss for us,"
said Ghana Pokhrel, a community soccer coach.
"The two young men who were already dead, one was
Seneca High School and the other from Fern Creek High School, and the other two
struggling in the hospital now (are) from Wagner and the other is not in school
right now," said Krishna Dhakal, a Nepali translator with JCPS.
The four young men are Bhutanese refugees known for
participating in the community's soccer team.
“Preliminary investigation revealed a white Toyota was
attempting to cross and apparently disregarded the traffic control signs and
was struck," said Dwight Mitchell.
Dhakal said gates are needed at the intersection at Crawford
Lane and Buechel Avenue.
"People may be rushing or hurry for some reason, maybe
for job or whatever. So without gate or something, it's difficult to find out
if train is coming," said Dhakal.
"A state representative, whoever it is, needs too
actually take a look at this, and take a look at this, and take a look at that
crossing," said Collman.
"I would pray for those who are struggling in the
hospital and would be helping the families who already lose their young
men," Dhakal said.
A spokesperson for Norfolk Southern said the company does
not have control over where gates are installed, that is up to the Kentucky
Department of Transportation.
Source: www.wdrb.com