Man dies at Stoke Canon level crossing and related incidents - 28 Mar 2019

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

The 2+4 HST^▸ (High Speed Train) set is on its way back to Laira. Through Dawlish about 15 minutes ago.

[Western Pathfinder]

Sad day all around, my thoughts to the family of the person who was involved,and let's all take a moment to recognise the work of all the emergency services who literally have to pick up the pieces after incidents like this .

Also of note, that it was at Stoke Canon,iirc that my namesake Western Pathfinder,sustained damage leading to its withdrawal and eventually its scrapping,when involved in a collision with a permanent way teams road vehicle,up until that point it had been a strong contender for preservation.

[Chris from Nailsea]

The deceased also appears to have had internal knowledge.

The person who died was indeed a member of railway staff.

A very sad day: may I offer our condolences from this forum to his family and friends.

[drenahmeti22]

I have returned to this forum after a lengthy break, nice to still see everyone’s still here.
My condolences go out to the family of the deceased, the driver and on-board crew, as well as the team at Exeter and all the MOM^▸ (Mobile Operations Manager)’s, LOM’s and many other people who were involved in this.

I happen to know the guy involved in this, as well as the events of today, so I’m not going to come in here and join the speculation, nor will I identify the gentleman until he’s officially been identified.
But at first, that’s what I did too - speculated - as it’s natural human inquisitiveness to speculate and theorise.
But I was briefed on the situation, and realisation hit, and that’s what I want to echo here, is that as decent humans we’re all in this together. Don’t forget that.
Feel free to contact me if anyone needs someone to talk to.

[James Vertigan]

Absolutely gut wrenching to learn that the person who lost his life at Stoke Canon was a member of the railway family. Condolences with all those who knew him.

[LiskeardRich]

The deceased also appears to have had internal knowledge.

The person who died was indeed a member of railway staff.

A very sad day: may I offer our condolences from this forum to his family and friends.

Sadly since I made that post i discovered it to be someone I knew of. I’d met him on occasion through friends.

[grahame]

I have returned to this forum after a lengthy break, nice to still see everyone’s still here.
My condolences go out to the family of the deceased, the driver and on-board crew, as well as the team at Exeter and all the MOM^▸ (Mobile Operations Manager)’s, LOM’s and many other people who were involved in this.

...

But I was briefed on the situation, and realisation hit, and that’s what I want to echo here, is that as decent humans we’re all in this together. Don’t forget that.

Feel free to contact me if anyone needs someone to talk to.

Sadly since I made that post i discovered it to be someone I knew of. I’d met him on occasion through friends.

For friends / contacts, the South West Railways and Heritage Group on Facebook - which is not a public group, is carrying a considerable number of comments of condolence, shock and tribute from both on-line contacts and people who knew him in real life.  Reading there shows such a depth the re-affirms the personal cost and tragedy all around, and our love for one another each in our own way, and if you are a member of that group I commend you to it.

[TaplowGreen]

Sympathies all around and thankful that none of his actions caused a greater tragedy.

[JayMac]

Adult male mental health problems are all too common. And very often the individual keeps their struggles hidden from those closest to them, particularly younger men who fear showing emotion among their peers. Being 'one of the lads' can and does lead to bottling things up.

[grahame]

Ladies and Gentlemen, please let's quietly reflect on yesterday's events and bear in mind as we post the depth beyond the headlines and the personal tragedies beyond what's public.  And, yes, thank goodness that there were no further phyiscal injuries (though for sure there will be deep emotional injuries).

I have moved a follow up on this thread to the moderator's area as I was concerened. I don't know if that was the right thing to do, or over-reaction; call it a precaution and I'm asking my fellow moderators to give their views. The post may be returned if it turns out I was out of order.  On new ground here - most of the elements of the tragedy are ones w have seen before, but they cam together yesterday in a perfect storm.  At the least I hope we learn from that storm - and that helps us never have the same storm again.

[JayMac]

A purely factual update. It's been confirmed in the media that the young man who died was a GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) employee.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-47748980

[drenahmeti22]

I have moved a follow up on this thread to the moderator's area as I was concerened. I don't know if that was the right thing to do, or over-reaction; call it a precaution and I'm asking my fellow moderators to give their views.

You can have a member’s view.
I don’t feel it would be a right thing to do, as most information on this case is internal and sensitive.
If this was a railway workers’ forum, I’d be happy to release a bit more information on this; as this is public, I don’t feel it would be appropriate to.

[Western Pathfinder]

A great deal of sensitivity will be deployed when dealing with this matter,rest assured.

[grahame]

I have moved a follow up on this thread to the moderator's area as I was concerened. I don't know if that was the right thing to do, or over-reaction; call it a precaution and I'm asking my fellow moderators to give their views.

You can have a member’s view.
I don’t feel it would be a right thing to do, as most information on this case is internal and sensitive.
If this was a railway workers’ forum, I’d be happy to release a bit more information on this; as this is public, I don’t feel it would be appropriate to.

Reading back, what I said could be read in two ways.  I've asked the rest of the moderator team for their views on whether the removal of a post from this thread was correct or over-reaction. I certainly have not encouraged them to post views on what happened around the Exeter area yesterday, though I note with hindsight my description could be read that way.

Looking at the post I removed, conclusion is that it was a very close call but on balance probably the right action.

[TheLastMinute]

I've read that the driver and guard who were directly involved in last weeks sad incident are running the Taunton Half Marathon this Sunday 7th April and have decided to raise money for the Samaritans.

Their donation page is available here if you're interested in donating to this worthy cause.