Kiddie train wreck:
‘I was going too (expletive) fast’Reports allege driver of Spartanburg children’s train commented on speed after accident; 911 tapes point to chaotic scene
By MEG KINNARD - The Associated Press Wednesday, Mar. 23, 2011
SPARTANBURG — The man driving a children’s train that crashed over the weekend, killing a 6-year-old boy and injuring dozens of others, told police he knew he was driving too fast just before the wreck, according to documents released Tuesday.
“I was going too (expletive) fast,” Matt Conrad told a police officer riding with him to the hospital after Saturday’s crash, according to incident reports released by the Spartanburg Public Safety Department.
Conrad, 42, was operating a nearly 60-year-old mini train known as “Sparky” at Cleveland Park in Spartanburg. During a third loop around the track, the train went off its tracks, toppling off a bridge and injuring the 28 passengers on board.
One of those passengers, 6-year-old Benji Easler, died in the crash. A vigil was planned for him Tuesday night.
Other injuries ranged from bumps and bruises to broken bones. Some of the children were taken away on stretchers.
The 911 tapes obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday revealed a chaotic scene, with witnesses flooding authorities with more than 30 phone calls pleading for help for screaming, bloodied passengers.
“Hurry. There’s a whole bunch,” one frantic caller said. “One kid’s leg almost tore off. One kid’s not breathing.”
“The train fell off the bridge, and there were a bunch of little kids on it,” another caller said, screams filling the background. “It’s a bloody mess,” said another.
Authorities have not said what caused the crash, but Conrad’s statement bolsters comments from witnesses who said the train sped up during its third lap around its circuit.Read more: http://www.thestate.com/2011/03/23/1747200/i-was-going-too-expletive-fast.html##ixzz1HS0BeLZR
SPARTANBURG — The man driving a children’s train that crashed over the weekend, killing a 6-year-old boy and injuring dozens of others, told police he knew he was driving too fast just before the wreck, according to documents released Tuesday.
“I was going too (expletive) fast,” Matt Conrad told a police officer riding with him to the hospital after Saturday’s crash, according to incident reports released by the Spartanburg Public Safety Department.
Conrad, 42, was operating a nearly 60-year-old mini train known as “Sparky” at Cleveland Park in Spartanburg. During a third loop around the track, the train went off its tracks, toppling off a bridge and injuring the 28 passengers on board.
One of those passengers, 6-year-old Benji Easler, died in the crash. A vigil was planned for him Tuesday night.
Other injuries ranged from bumps and bruises to broken bones. Some of the children were taken away on stretchers.
The 911 tapes obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday revealed a chaotic scene, with witnesses flooding authorities with more than 30 phone calls pleading for help for screaming, bloodied passengers.
“Hurry. There’s a whole bunch,” one frantic caller said. “One kid’s leg almost tore off. One kid’s not breathing.”
“The train fell off the bridge, and there were a bunch of little kids on it,” another caller said, screams filling the background. “It’s a bloody mess,” said another.
Authorities have not said what caused the crash, but Conrad’s statement bolsters comments from witnesses who said the train sped up during its third lap around its circuit.Read more: http://www.thestate.com/2011/03/23/1747200/i-was-going-too-expletive-fast.html##ixzz1HS0BeLZR
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