By Matthew Guité
www.thesuburban.com
A 17-year-old teenager was struck by a Via Rail train Thursday near the Cartier exit off Highway 20 in Pointe Claire. The teenager remains in hospital in stable condition and is expected to recover.
The incident took place Thursday afternoon around 3:30 p.m. when a train approached the boy from behind as he was walking on the tracks. Despite the conductor’s attempts to warn him by using the train’s horn, the teenager either did not hear or chose not to move.
Police spokesman Simon Delorme said that it was still unclear if the incident was an accident or not.
“For reason unknown the juvenile was walking on the tracks when he was hit by the train. The train driver tried to alert him with the air horn, but the young gentleman didn’t react, we don’t know why.”
Delorme said that while the teenager survived his injuries, they were quite severe.
“The young man suffered multiple injuries, but he is stable at the moment,” he said. “Unfortunately the young man will likely have health problems related to his injuries for the rest of his life.”
Mike Regimbal, the National Director for Operation Lifesaver Canada, an organization which aims to educate Canadians on the dangers surrounding rail property and trains, told The Suburban that incidents like this were often avoidable.
“Unfortunately too many people are nonchalant about the dangers around train tracks and railway property. I’m always amazed how someone can walk along railway tracks or take a ‘short cut’ across them but would never consider doing that in the middle of highway 20 or Décarie Boulevard,” he said. “Last year there were 47 trespasser fatalities and 20 serious injuries in Canada which essentially could have been avoided if people were not trespassing on private railway property.”
Regimbal also mentioned that Operation Lifesaver aimed much of its efforts on young people and new drivers in order to educate them on the dangers surrounding railroads. Information on railway safety is available on Operation Lifesaver’s website.
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