Selby Train Wreck

On 28 February, 2001, a man named Gary Hart fell asleep at the wheel of his car. He was extremely tired after staying up all night on the phone to a lady that he met on the internet. This man had to travel 145 miles or 233km for work at 4:40 in the morning. Because of his choices he fell asleep while driving and skidded onto the train tracks at Great Hick, near Selby in North Yorkshire. While he was phoning the emergency services a high speed passenger train hit his car. Gary Hart was not injured but the train derailed and smashed into an oncoming coal train that was heavy with coal. At this, 10 people were killed and 80 were injured. Not only did a lot of people die and get injured but the cost of this accident was also very substantial.

If this man knew what was going to happen because of his fatigue, I believe that he would not have taken the risk in driving tired; he could have called a taxi, bus or even a friend.

It would be very interesting to know the contextual lens of the train drivers, but unfortunately they did not survive the crash. We do not know exactly how they viewed the situation.

The contextual lens of the driver of the car.

The driver’s contextual lens most likely would be a negative view, but he may also try to see the good in this situation. He survived the crash but 10 other people who he doesn't even know died.

• Is anybody hurt? How can I help them?
• I thought it was safe to drive tired.
• What is the punishment going to be? How am I going to live with myself?
• Has anybody died?
• Why did I do this?
• What should I do now?

The contextual lens of the victims that survived the crash.

I could not imagine the victims having a positive attitude, but then again they could be thinking I survived the crash so I should be happy.

• What is going on?
• Am I going to die? How will my family survive if I do die?
• Am I going to be paralysed?
• How did this happen?
• Who is the cause of this?
• Is anyone other than me hurt?
• How can I get out of this?
• Is there anyone that I can help?

The contextual lens of the emergencies services that was on the scene.

The lens of the emergency service would be more on the side of wanting to help the injured and the dying.

• What was the cause of the accident?
• Who is to blame?
• Who is hurt?
• How many people are hurt?
• What can I do to help?

The contextual lens of the friends and family of all the victims.

The family and friends would be feeling sad and angry. I don’t think they would be too happy with Gary Hart after the accident but with time they might forgive him but we can never know exactly what they are feeling.

• Why did he risk driving tired?
• Why was he tired?
• What is his punishment going to be?
• Why did this happen to my family?

The contextual lens of the general public.

The public would be a bit confused with what has just happened and they will also be quite shocked. The crash might have closed a road that they needed to travel on to get to their destination so they will be frustrated because of this.

• Is anyone I know involved?
• Does this involve me?
• How does this affect me?
• How many people are hurt?
• Are any roads near me closed? Do I need to take another route?

The contextual lens of the Railway Authority.

The Railway Authority would be so frustrated and very angry. This man cost them a very large amount of money.

• How fast was the passenger train going?
• How fast was the coal train going?
• What was the car doing on the track?
• How did the car derail the train?

The driver of the car thought he was safe to drive but clearly he wasn't. His thoughts and actions have consequences not just for him but for the victims of the crash and their family. This is a horrible accident but in all this there is a lesson to be learned. If possible do not drive while you are tired. You are not only risking the safety of yourself but also that of the public.

References

News.bbc.co.uk,. 'BBC ON THIS DAY | 28 | 2001: At Least 10 Die In Selby Rail Crash'. N.p., 2015. Web. 27 July 2015.

Wainwright, Martin. 'Selby Rail Crash Motorist Blames 'Fate''. the Guardian. N.p., 2011. Web. 5 Aug. 2015.