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After news that an 18 year old died after falling betwen an LIRR train car and platform (she was killed when she rolled over to another track where a train was approaching), our readers debated whether or not gaps between a train car and platform were the responsibility of the rider to mind them or the train company to make sure the gaps were smaller. And there was some confusion as to how an adult could slip through an 8 inch gap. Well, Newsday sent out their reporters armed with tape measures, and found that a gap at the Woodside, Queens station where Natalie Smead died are up to 11 inches, and there are gaps of up to 15 inches at other LIRR stations, such as Syosset. Fifteen inches - you might as well call that a moat. Today, Newsday has anecdotes from LIRR riders who have fallen in the gap. Here's one that's a little disturbing:
Chris Ingram, of Smithtown, was 6 and on a first-grade field trip in 2000 when he fell through a gap as he stepped from a Smithtown LIRR platform onto a train. "The next thing I knew, I was on the ground and the wheels of the train were right next to me," Ingram, now 13, said. He was yanked by a class mother from the rail bed with scrapes and bruises. The parent saved him after seeing the tips of his fingers sticking up through the gap as he yelled for help.The LIRR says it uses bridge plates to help wheelchairs go over the gap, but using them for all passengers would cause delays, so they opt for an "education program." Well, maybe it's time to Hmm - maybe the program needs to be much more prominent. There are videos on the LIRR websites for train evacuation and crossing the railroad tracks safely, but nothing about avoiding huge platform gaps.
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The problem with this story, and so many like it, is that people tend to want to place blame on an entity other than the one affected by the accident. Common sense, or some would say natural instinct, tells us to watch where we walk in order to avoid things like holes, gum, dog poop, and landmines. Instead of the LIRR taking action to ensure its riders' safety, maybe the people who ride the train should do more to ensure their own safety (i.e. watch where you're walking).
The Shea Stadium platform also has a large gap. After tuesday's game, a fan fell through. Luckily, there were a bunch of people there to help him out, but it was a freak-show scene. The guy was rattled, but OK afterwards.
Not all of us have the best eye sight. A gap up to 3 inches might be ok. But I don't think a 12 inch gap would even be allowed on a construction site.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25781956@N00/211999592/
The jury, in this kind of a case, will balance the plaintiff's negligence with the entity's negligence - happens all the time. I don't see why people think this is an all or nothing thing. Just because she may have been a teensy bit careless doesn't let the LIRR off the hook.
NY1 showed some footage of the Woodside station.
That gap is not as small as one may think. It's not like stepping over some electrical cable. I'd say it's as wide as a cinder block or your computer keyboard. Not as wide as the Union Square station but then you don't have the extending platform.
They showed a lady stepping up to it in heels. You need to be deliberate and watch where you're stepping.
People who can't figure out that you have to pay attention to the gap between a stable platform and a mobile vehicle probably also need the CAUTION: VERY HOT warning on their morning cup of coffee. Give me a break.
I have a photo of what they have at Penn Station, some Christmas lights on the platform edge. You can also see in the shot, that there is a bit of a drop from the platform to the train car.
Still, the high platforms, even with the gaps, are still better than the low platforms, seen on a few lines in New Jersey, for example, where people can fall down the steps when getting off the trains
What if you are handicapped or a senior citizen?..nobody is there is to help you..conductors could care less if you fall..what if you were in a wheelchair..how are you suppose to get on if the gap is enormous? I've seen a young guy in a wheelchair get turned away because he couldn't get on the train and the conductor didn't help..that is just sad..
STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM THE EDGE OF THE F#$$ING PLATFORM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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