Warnings went off before Midland parade float crossed tracks

Railroad investigators work the scene where four veterans were killed after a train hit a parade float. Railroad investigators work the scene where four veterans were killed after a train hit a parade float. Photo: Juan Carlos Llorca, STF Photo: Juan Carlos Llorca, STF Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Warnings went off before Midland parade float crossed tracks 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

The driver of a parade truck carrying a dozen veterans, their spouses and two escorts attempted to cross the railroad tracks after warning bells, lights and crossing arms were activated, according to preliminary data collected by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Twenty seconds before the eastbound Union Pacific train reached the intersection and collided with the southbound float on Garfield Street, the warning bells and flashing red lights were activated, as per Federal Railroad Administration regulations, board member Mark Rosekind said Saturday.

The first float, also carrying veterans and their wives on folding chairs, had already crossed the intersections.

Seven seconds after the bells and lights were activated, Rosekind said, the crossing arms began to descend. One second later, or 12 seconds before the crash, the front of the truck crossed the north side of the railroad track.

Then, three seconds after the crossing arms started to go down, the engineer sounded the train's horn, which blasted for four seconds. At seven seconds before the crash, the gate struck the float, a flatbed trailer escorted by police, striking flagpoles, according to Rosekind. According to witnesses, veterans and their spouses then began to jump off of the float

Candlelight vigil

At 4:36 p.m., the train struck the back of the flatbed trailer. Four veterans were killed in the crash and 16 others were injured.

Disregarding the warning signs, Rosekind said, is a violation of the FRA rules. He said the driver of the float has not yet been interviewed, and it is not yet known if he will face federal charges.

Mayor Wes Perry called for a candlelight vigil Saturday night to honor the four veterans who were killed and 16 others injured in the crash Thursday.

On Friday, five people remained hospitalized: two spouses and one veteran were in stable condition and another spouse was in critical condition at Midland Memorial Hospital, officials said. A fifth injured person, also a spouse, was listed in serious condition at University Medical Center in Lubbock, city spokesman Ryan Stout said.

'Pray for us'

One veteran, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Shane Ladner, released a statement through the hospital. His wife remained hospitalized Saturday.

"I want to thank the people of Midland and the people of this great country for their prayers and support," the statement read. "I also want to thank the Show of Support organization for honoring us and everything they have done for us and our families. We appreciate the doctors and staff at Midland Memorial Hospital for providing excellent care. Prayers have been and continue to be answered. Please continue to pray for us."

Meanwhile, witnesses continued to cope with the gruesome memories of Thursday afternoon, when residents gathered to watch the five-minute parade pass from the soldiers' downtown hotel to the Horseshoe Arena, where they were to be honored at a banquet.

"It's been hell. I can't get it out of my head," said Scott Moore, 25, who was at work in a tool shop near the intersection of Garfield Street and Industrial Avenue Thursday afternoon.

"There was a body lying in the street, in our parking lot. It stopped me dead in my tracks," he said.

emoravec@express-news.net