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Amtrak Passenger Safety

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Kristie of Roseville CA (12/12/03):
On 8/18/03 my parents, my husband, my 2 year old son, and my 6 month old daughter rode the train from Roseville, CA to Reno, NV. We returned back to Roseville the following day on 8/19/03 - 4 hours behind schedule. Upon approaching the Roseville station, the conductor announced our arrival and to get ready to de-board the train. We gathered our things and started towards the car where we boarded the train.

When we got there, we noticed other passengers (elderly and disabled) as well as an opened, unattended door leading to the outside of the train onto the tarmac. My husband set our 2 year old son on the tarmac (as well as a piece of luggage) and then turned around to get a stool so others could get off. The train started moving, wihtout any kind of warning, and picked up speed rather quickly. My son started screaming and running towards the train, my husband looked at me and said I have to jump for the safety of our son.

He then leaped hitting the pavement and rolling - I, having our 6 month old strapped to the front of me - yelled to all the passengers brace yourself and I pulled the plug on the train causing it to do an emergency stop. I checked for my husband to see if he was okay - he was banged up a little bit, our son was very shaken - then I went to get an attendant.

Basically at this point the conductor as well as two other attendants approached us, as well as all other passengers getting off the train, and wanted to know who opened the door. We all said the door was opened and the accusations started to fly. I asked the conductor, "wait a second, aren't you concerned about my husband sustaining some injury and my son?" His reply was "no ma'am my concern is who opened the door."

After going back and forth we weren't getting anywhere - meanwhile the conductor and attendants were backing away to get on the train. One of them even tapped their watch and said you know what we are sorry but we really have to go - at this point we were in disbelief and left for home.

As soon as we got home we called the Amtrak police and made a report exactly 30 minutes after the incident. We have gotten nowhere, 4 months later. I will mention my husband is a firefighter for 20 years, he did sustain some injury which caused him to be out of work for one week.

The huge issue here is neglect and safety concerns (not to mention, the treatment we have received from Amtrak). I am seeking help because I do not know what else to do. We have done everything they have asked us to do (calling so-and-so, giving a statement, waiting for results, etc.). Right now, we have been told by the detective - no criminal act happened and there is no law against the way we were treated.

After being passed to management on 10/18/03, Steve Shelton informed us that the whole investigation was not done correctly - a report should have been taken immediately because anytime the plug on a train is pulled it needs to be investigated as to why! As of 12/1/03 he told me that the crew didn't remember the incident when interviewed. But on 10/10/03 my discussion with the detective proved that they did remember.

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