CSXfoamer1997
OBS Chief
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2015
- Messages
- 575
26 years ago today, Billy Parker, a now retired Amtrak engineer, was running the Silver Star from Jacksonville, FL to Miami. The train, running over 3 hours late, consisted of one locomotive (EMD F40PHR #385), a material-handling car, a baggage car, a diner, two sleepers, a cafe car, and five coaches. As he approached Cypress Creek Road just outside of Ft. Lauderdale, FL at 60 MPH, he saw two vehicles sitting on top of the tracks. He made a service brake application and blasted his horn. Both vehicles moved off the tracks, much to his relief. Shortly afterward, he saw one of his worst nightmares before his eyes. A gasoline tanker started easing over the tracks. Knowing the tanker was blocked in with nowhere to go, he made an emergency brake application and blasted his horn one last time. Not knowing whether it was full or empty, he ran into the engine room, knelt down on the floor, and said a quick little prayer. Shortly afterward, at 35 MPH, the train ripped through the back of the tanker, setting off a massive explosion followed by several subsequent explosions. The locomotive, the first three cars, and nine vehicles waiting for the train to pass were showered with 8,500 gallons of burning gasoline.
Amazingly, Billy Parker was unharmed, but the thick smoke inside the locomotive blinded him and he had to feel his way to the rear of the locomotive. When he opened the door, his hair was singed by the intense heat from the fire. He bravely helped the passengers off the train, but there was so much panic and pandemonium. People were screaming and running everywhere. Fortunately though, only 19 people on the train (8 crew members and 11 passengers) sustained minor injuries.
Six people were killed, including the tanker driver. The other five victims were motorists waiting for the train to pass. One of them was sitting straight up in their seat with hands still on the steering wheel.
Today, Billy Parker celebrates 26 years of a second chance at life. Very rarely to train crews survive collisions with gasoline tankers. After the accident, he worked with Operation Lifesaver for 10 years before he went back as an engineer in late 2003. He officially retired as an engineer after an accident on November 6, 2006.
In 2011, he talks about the accident at Cypress Creek Road here:
Amazingly, Billy Parker was unharmed, but the thick smoke inside the locomotive blinded him and he had to feel his way to the rear of the locomotive. When he opened the door, his hair was singed by the intense heat from the fire. He bravely helped the passengers off the train, but there was so much panic and pandemonium. People were screaming and running everywhere. Fortunately though, only 19 people on the train (8 crew members and 11 passengers) sustained minor injuries.
Six people were killed, including the tanker driver. The other five victims were motorists waiting for the train to pass. One of them was sitting straight up in their seat with hands still on the steering wheel.
Today, Billy Parker celebrates 26 years of a second chance at life. Very rarely to train crews survive collisions with gasoline tankers. After the accident, he worked with Operation Lifesaver for 10 years before he went back as an engineer in late 2003. He officially retired as an engineer after an accident on November 6, 2006.
In 2011, he talks about the accident at Cypress Creek Road here:
