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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT Tuesday, November 20, 2007 =============================================================================================================== INCIDENTS Cuyahoga Valley NP Train Operated By Park Partner Collides With Car The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR), a park partner, was operating its holiday “Polar Express” train on NPS-owned tracks en route to picking up visitors at the Akron Depot on the afternoon of November 15th when it collided with a motor vehicle. Two juveniles were traveling to Hudson in their father's car when they missed their turn and decided to use a driveway to turn around. The driveway went up a hill and over the railroad tracks. As they were backing up, the car crossed the tracks and its passenger side rear tire got stuck. The two kids inside got out to evaluate their situation, at which point they heard the train coming and ran up the driveway and away from the tracks. The crew of the train saw the vehicle on the tracks as they came around a blind curve - they blew the train's horn and rang its bell and hit the emergency brakes. The engine hit the vehicle just as it was coming to a stop, pushing the car just a few feet down the tracks. Akron Police Department officers and rangers Rose Akins and Jeff Stell investigated. There were no injuries. The quick action of CVSR personnel prevented more damage to the vehicle. [Chris Ryan, Chief Ranger] Big Cypress NP Accidental Death At Oil Pad Within Park On the morning of November 17th, ranger Ryan Levins was notified of an accident with an injured person at an oil pad on Eleven Mile Road. When he arrived on scene, the victim - A.D. - had been flown by helicopter to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Investigation revealed that A.D., an employee of Breitburn Energy, an oil company with production facilities within the park, was standing on the platform of the tower at oil pad 2, also known as the “Rod Basket,” when the accident occurred. A large tool was being hoisted up to the platform, about 75 feet above the ground, when it hit A.D. in the upper torso and stomach, pinning him to the tower. Other workers were able to free him within minutes. He then collapsed, complaining of stomach, chest and side pain. He was also having trouble breathing and spitting blood. The medevac helicopter soon arrived and took him to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Rangers and an OSHA compliance officer are conducting an investigation into his death. Operation at that location has been suspended. [Ryan Levins, North District Ranger] OTHER NEWS The following stories (among others) can be read on InsideNPS (internal) or NPS Digest (external): Lyndon B. Johnson NHP - President Johnson's daughters, Luci Baines Johnson and Lynda Johnson Robb, held a catered dinner for park staff and friends last week as a "thank you" for the Service's 35 years of involvement with the LBJ Ranch. HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5989" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5989 Denver Service Center - The Service's Incident Management Council met in September to discuss a number of issues, many of them of direct interest to employees. Included among them are the future of email and the development of a new web-based T&A system. HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=5984" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=5984 Haleakala NP - The safety stand down ordered in October following a series of commercial downhill bike tour accidents and fatalities continues. An analysis team will convene in December to prepare a report for a board of review to be held in February. HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5990" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5990 Gateway NRA - A PBS documentary entitled “Treasures of the Harbor,” which will focus on Gateway NRA's units around New York Harbor, will be broadcast at 8 p.m. on Thursday. HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5991" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5991 * * * * * Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( Bill_Halainen@nps.gov, 570-686-3828). --- ### --- |