Four people are dead and 16 others injured - all of them wounded veterans or their spouses - after a parade float in Texas was struck by a train Thursday afternoon. Here's a look at what went so tragically wrong during the parade intended to honor the nation's heroes.
[View the story "Veterans killed, injured when train collides with Texas parade float" on Storify]Four people are dead and 16 others injured - all of them wounded veterans or their spouses - after a parade float in Texas was struck by a train Thursday afternoon. Here's a look at what went so tragically wrong during the parade intended to honor the nation's heroes. Storified by Digital First Media ? Fri, Nov 16 2012 06:44:22
Denverpost
A flatbed truck carries wounded veterans and their families during a parade before it was struck by a train Thursday, Nov. 15, in Midland, Texas.? James Durbin/AP Photo/Reporter-Telegram ( View a photo gallery from the accident scene) Preliminary reports: Parade float stuck on train tracks with nowhere to go Denverpost
Parade participants react after a trailer carrying wounded veterans in a parade was struck by a train in Midland, Texas.?James Durbin/AP Photo/Reporter-Telegram
What witnesses saw: Reports of panic, bloodshed "I was on the phone, and I just started screaming ... I did see the panic on the faces of the people and saw some of them jump off." - Patricia Howle, quoted by The Associated Press.?
In an interview with KOSA-TV, Howle added: "People on the trailer saw the train coming and they were flying in every direction ... I covered my face. I didn't want to see."
"It was a horrible accident to watch happen right in front of me. I just saw the people on the semi-truck's trailer panic, and many started to jump off the trailer. But it was too late for many of them because the train impacted the trailer so fast." - Daniel Quinonez, quoted by The Associated Press.
Denverpost
Emergency responders at the scene of the tragic accident that killed four and wounded 16 others. Tim Fischer/AP Photo/Reporter-Telegram
Were the train crossing's warning systems working? There are conflicting eyewitness reports on the gates, however.
Amy Parish told?KOSA-TV?that she?"didn't see any lights, hear any bells or see the arm come down." Another witness, Michael Briggs, said?told ABC News?that "the gates actually hit the first people on the trailer."
Denverpost
Midland police, fire and sheriffs respond to an accident where a trailer carrying veterans in a parade was struck by a train crossing in Midland, Texas.?Tim Fischer/AP Photo/Reporter-Telegram
Victims: 25 wounded soldiers flew to Texas for special honors "He pushed his wife off the float - my daughter," Hefley was quoted in a report by the Amarillo Globe-News.
Hefley said Michael was one of the two who died at the hospital. Two others died at the scene of the accident, according to The Associated Press.?
A hospital spokeswoman told the Los Angeles Times that 16 people were also injured and one remained in critical condition as of late Thursday night.
On the trailer that was struck, the city's police chief said there were 26 people including 12 veterans, 12 of their spouses and two civilian escorts.
A total of 25 wounded veterans arrived in Midland for the ceremonies on Wednesday.
"The group of 25 was brought in for a week full of events to show them gratitude for their service,"?states a?NewsWest9 report?from Nov. 14. Watch news video coverage of the veterans being welcomed to Midland.
The Hunt for Heroes event began in 2004 and is held annually, flying in injured veterans and honoring them with a parade, banquet and all-expense paid whitetail deer hunt.
Parade participants included multiple amputees and burn victims, reported the Los Angeles Times.
'This may be one of the most tragic events we've had in our town' "It's obviously a real sad day for Midland, Texas," said Mayor Wes Perry. "These guys are true American heroes."?
Mayor and Midland Police Department Response - 11152012 Fatal Train Incidentcityofmidland
Source: http://www.willitsnews.com/ci_22011225/veterans-killed-injured-when-train-collides-texas-parade?source=rss_viewed
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