"BART workers gather for vigil for those killed in train accident"

Source: Los Angeles Times
By: Maura Dolan
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-bart-workers-gather-for-vigil-for-those-killed-in-train-accident-20131020,0,3945507.story

On Sunday evening numerous Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) employees gathered for a candlelight vigil in commemoration of the two workers who died during their track inspection when struck and killed by a commuter train. The BART employee and construction worker were studying and working on a dip in the track when they fatally crashed into the moving train between the Walnut Creek and Peasant Hill stations. One was acting as a lookout, while the other inspected the track. During the Candlelight vigil many of the workers expressed their true care and respect for the tragic occurrence by wearing their work uniforms, holding candles, and hugging and speaking quietly amongst each other. Holding a candle with tears running down his face, Nucion Avent, a BART worker and union member, said he knew both men who were killed. “All over the system we are hurting because we are family here,” he said. He then asked for a moment of silence for the two workers who were killed, Christopher Sheppard of Hayward and Larry Daniels of Oakland. The most devastating part about the accident was that it could have been prevented, as said by Richard Stingily, a former train operator and foreman who has worked for BART for 27 years. Regardless, the warmest love, prayers, and condolences were sent out to the families' of the deceased tonight.

It is very important to always keep a look out for one's self and beware of one's surroundings because especially in that type of situation great danger can be around at any given moment. If the train operator could have stopped the train at the right time it would save the two precious lives that were lost that day. These kinds of problems are the ones that we must focus on and solve in order to prevent any other crucially harmful events.