Cop wanted to show family a coin get flattened by train; gets flattened instead

[michaels]

http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll...71015/NEWS05/710150346

Retired cop struck, killed by train in front of family
By JULIE MORAN ALTERIO
THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: October 15, 2007)

GREENWICH, Conn. - A 55-year-old man from Western New York was struck and killed by a train yesterday after he decided to put a coin on the tracks to entertain his family, a Metro-North spokeswoman said.

David Buffa of Ripley, N.Y., was at the Riverside station at noon with his wife, two stepdaughters, a daughter from a previous marriage and her boyfriend, said Marjorie Anders of Metro-North.

Buffa jumped down from the platform to place a coin on the tracks but was unable to get back up before an express train traveling 60 to 75 mph hit and killed him instantly, Anders said.

The conductor of the train blew the whistle but was unable to stop in time to avoid Buffa, she said.

Buffa, who would have turned 56 today, was a retired police officer, Anders said.

Trains were delayed in both directions for about 20 minutes while the tracks were inspected and Buffa's body was removed.

Passengers on the train that hit Buffa were transferred to another train.

Anders said the incident should send a message about the dangers of straying from the safety of the platform.

"Don't go on train tracks. Don't play with trains," she said.

 

[destrekor]

wow

 

[So]

"Don't play with trains"

 

[KB]

Darwin FTW!

Except he already had kids doh.

 

[imported_LoKe]

And someone gave this guy a gun at one point?

 

[Dacalo]

Why the hell would you place a coin on the track without giving yourself a conservative amount of time to do it?

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: Dacalo
Why the hell would you place a coin on the track?

Fixed.

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Originally posted by: KB
Darwin FTW!

Except he already had kids doh.

Yeah, natural selection was a little late this time, unfortunately. Sucks.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Dacalo
Why the hell would you place a coin on the track without giving yourself a conservative amount of time to do it?

More importantly why would you do it on anything other than flat ground that was level with the tracks?

He just picked the absolute worst conditions to do it under.

Viper GTS

 

[AlienCraft]

damn that's awful.

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: Dacalo
Why the hell would you place a coin on the track?

Fixed.

Meh, they're not really that unsafe. When you grow up around train tracks they pretty much ARE the playground, I never understood how anyone could get hit by one of these things unless you're playing chicken with it. By the way, you need to tape down the coin or the vibration of the oncoming train might knock it off. Maybe that's what this guy was trying to do?

 

[JoeyM]

We used to put coins on the LIRR train tracks all the time. We never taped them down. I remember being surprised at how fast oncoming trains were. It was a little scary for a little kid and I can see how people get killed.

 

[Tweak155]

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: Dacalo
Why the hell would you place a coin on the track?

Fixed.

To entertain your family!

 

[Inspector Jihad]

yeah, i dont understand how you get hit by a train...i've been riding trains since i was a little kid and there has to be something wrong with you if you dont notice one coming at you.

 

[MovingTarget]

I've always wanted to try that coin on the tracks thing to see if it worked, but I find it pretty suprising that he would choose such a bad location. If you have to climb up to get away from train tracks, instinct should tell you that it isn't safe. Sucks for his family though.

 

[AUMM]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Dacalo
Why the hell would you place a coin on the track without giving yourself a conservative amount of time to do it?

More importantly why would you do it on anything other than flat ground that was level with the tracks?

He just picked the absolute worst conditions to do it under.

Viper GTS

yeah, i would never even think of doing it at one of those lowered platforms stations.....

 

[SSSnail]

In some countries, it's a criminal activity to place anything on the track. Considered him tried and sentenced.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: SSSnail
In some countries, it's a criminal activity to place anything on the track. Considered him tried and sentenced.

a penny is not going to cause any damage. it is nto going to derail the trian.


we used to do it all the time. my Grandfather had a cabin near some tracks. We would put pennies/dimes/etc on them all the time. l

heck we would put an ear on the track and you can feel/hear the train comeing long before you see it.

there was a small hill where we would sit and wave to the guys. every now and then they would blow the horn LOL such stupid things used to make us happy heh

 

[tomywishbone]

Booze. Dude consumed lots of booze, prior to his trick.

 

[bctbct]

20 min., thats a pretty fast clean-up crew

 

[Born2bwire]

Originally posted by: bctbct
20 min., thats a pretty fast clean-up crew

Hose + squeegee + leaf blower.

 

[alkemyst]

I never knew anyone to tape down the coin....but we did it on flat ground

 

[Alistar7]

That must have been entertaining for his children.

 

[Shawn]

My uncle did this with a coin before. He did it when there were no trains around though and came back later in the day to get it.

 

[skyking]

another "hey, watch this..." moment.