Miracle! Man Hit by Acela Train Survives

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the incident of a man named Jack Daniels who survived being hit by an Acela train. Participants reflect on the circumstances of the event, the nature of shock after trauma, and share related anecdotes. The conversation touches on themes of luck, survival, and the peculiarities of human experience in dangerous situations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Witness accounts describe the victim's shock and confusion immediately after being hit by the train, with one witness noting that he was looking for his teeth.
  • Some participants humorously comment on the coincidence of the victim's name, Jack Daniels, suggesting it adds a layer of irony to the situation.
  • Several participants share personal anecdotes about surviving dangerous situations, including being struck by thunder, drawing parallels to the incident.
  • There are observations about the psychological effects of trauma, with comments on how individuals often do not realize the extent of their injuries until later.
  • One participant mentions a similar story of a person being hit by a train while distracted, highlighting the dangers of inattention near train tracks.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share a sense of disbelief regarding the man's survival and express a mix of humor and concern. However, there is no consensus on the implications of his name or the nature of shock, as opinions vary on these points.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect personal experiences and anecdotal evidence rather than established facts about trauma or survival. The discussion includes humor and speculation that may not be universally applicable.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in human psychology, trauma responses, or anecdotal survival stories may find this discussion engaging.

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Man Hit By Acela Train Survives
Witnesses Say Victim Didn't Know What Hit Him
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/cnn-news/18162818/detail.html
. . . .
The victim, identified as Jack Daniels, 61, of Canton, was crossing the tracks at the Canton Junction Station about 11:20 a.m. Thursday when he was hit by a northbound Amtrak Acela train heading from New York to Boston which was speeding by at 90 mph.

"I said, 'Sir, you just got hit by a train.' He says, 'No, I didn't.' I go, 'Yes, you did,' and I put my arms around him ... and he goes, 'Where's my teeth?' and his back was ripped, all the way down," witness Dave Fortin said.

He said the man was clearly in shock and refused to lie down afterward.

"He was just looking for his teeth. His teeth were on the ground," Fortin said.

Daniels was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital with several non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

He told onlookers he tried the dangerous crossing because he wanted to get a cup of coffee at a nearby shop.

One witness said he couldn't believe Daniels survived.

. . . .

"It comes very, very fast. He probably had about a second, a second and a half, to make a decision," MBTA Transit Police Sgt. Preston Horton said.

. . . .
It sounds like Mr. Daniels was brushed by the train, and probably was whirled around.

He's very lucky indeed.
 
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Do you think that it was telling of anything that his name is Jack Daniels? :rolleyes: Definitely lucky to be alive.
 
Reminds of a story where a man was struck by thunder many times and survived...
 
Best wishes to those.
 
That must be some damn good coffee.
 
Jack Daniels. I feel sorry for that guy. All the jokes he has to live through, especially if he's ever at a party with alcohol or at a bar. Jesus...

If anything, this is God saying "Hahah, I'm not done with you yet!"
 
instant_ramen said:
Reminds of a story where a man was struck by thunder many times and survived...

I've been struck by thunder MANY, MANY times in my 16 years. Still kickin'. ;)
 
binzing said:
I've been struck by thunder MANY, MANY times in my 16 years. Still kickin'. ;)

Ha ha, those were my thoughts too when I read that.
 
Redbelly98 said:
Ha ha, those were my thoughts too when I read that.

Except, not the 16 years part :-p
 
  • #10
lisab said:
Except, not the 16 years part :-p

Right! :sigh: ... or, I could have thought that part 3 times. ("I've been struck by thunder many times in my first 16 years. I've been struck many times in my 2nd 16 years. Etc.")
 
  • #11
jack daniels... i was hanging out with him the other night. i don't remember though :X

crazy though!
 
  • #12
Amazing!

That state of shock after a physical trauma is very strange. For some reason you don't want to admit that you're hurt.
 
  • #13
a lot of times stuff like that doesn't hurt until you get to the hospital and they start stitching you up.
 
  • #14
Proton Soup said:
a lot of times stuff like that doesn't hurt until you get to the hospital and they start stitching you up.

or two days later when the medication starts to wear off.
 
  • #15
Where I work in media coverage, I see stories of people getting hit by trains about every week. One of the more memorable examples was a man walking down a track scratching off a lottery ticket. The train blared several times, but he never noticed. Probably didn't know what hit him, either. --Eh, I guess he wasn't lucky.
 
  • #16
There was a college student in Chico, California, who was walking down the railroad tracks while listening to music through headphones. He never heard it coming.
 
  • #17
offtheleft said:
or two days later when the medication starts to wear off.

or he sobers up
 

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