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William Rockefeller was at the controls of the train which was traveling at a dangerously high speed of 82MPH, when he nodded off. Unfortunately, the train was approaching a treacherous bend that requires all trains to slow to a speed of no more than 30MPH, but Rockefeller was briefly napping and unaware of his location. Rockefeller said yesterday he was jolted back to reality only after a whistle went off in the front of the train warning him that he was going too fast. He immediately threw on the brakes, but by then it was too late and the train jumped the tracks. “I was in a daze,” Rockefeller confessed.
The locomotive and most of its 7 cars derailed, coming within only a couple of inches from toppling into the Hudson River.
“It takes about a quarter-mile to a half-mile to stop a train going 82 mph,” Federal Railroad Administration spokesman Kevin Thompson said. By the time Rockefeller was awakened by the speed alarm on the train, it was far too late to prevent disaster.
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William Rockefeller is a former Grand Central Station custodian and 20 year Metro North employee who worked his way up to becoming a train engineer 11 years ago. Drug and alcohol tests proved he was not under the influence and there were no signs that he was texting or distracted, other than his own admission of falling asleep. Otherwise, Rockefeller has enjoyed a perfect safety record during his tenure.
Anthony Bottalico, executive director of the rail employees union, said Rockefeller “is totally traumatized by everything that has happened”and has been cooperating fully with investigators.
“He’s a sincere human being with an impeccable record that I know of. He’s diligent and competent,” Bottalico added.
I am sure he didn't mean to fall asleep however, this man has killed people because of his actions. He acted irresponsibly by maneuvering a vehicle he knew he was not alert enough to handle. He is just as irresponsible as a drunk who drives a car or a plane. I see no difference.
They need to have co pilots on all forms of transportation. It might curb some of these crashes caused by human carelessness.