thedrifter
12-27-07, 07:42 AM
Marine killed in Oceanside train collision ID'd
By: North County Times
OCEANSIDE -- Camp Pendleton authorities released the name Wednesday of a 22-year-old Marine killed Monday night when a train struck the sport utility vehicle he was in.
Cpl. Daniel L. Tatum, of Gibson, Tenn., was a passenger in a 1999 Chevy Blazer that reportedly tried to drive around a lowered railroad crossing near the 200 block of Wisconsin Avenue, authorities said.
The vehicle -- which appeared to be driving with its lights off -- passed the flashing lights on the warning gate and drove onto the crossing, where it was struck by a northbound Amtrak train, said Cpl. Mark Cook of the county sheriff's railroad enforcement unit.
The train pushed the vehicle along the tracks, trapping both occupants inside, authorities said.
Firefighters from Oceanside and Carlsbad were able to cut the injured driver free, said Battalion Chief Pete Lawrence of the Oceanside Fire Department. Tatum was more severely trapped and died before he could be removed, Lawrence said.
The driver was taken by medical helicopter to Scripps La Jolla Hospital, Lawrence said. None of the approximately 65 passengers on the train were hurt.
Tatum, whose awards included the Iraqi Campaign Medal and National Defense Service Medal, joined the Marines in 2004.
Ellie
By: North County Times
OCEANSIDE -- Camp Pendleton authorities released the name Wednesday of a 22-year-old Marine killed Monday night when a train struck the sport utility vehicle he was in.
Cpl. Daniel L. Tatum, of Gibson, Tenn., was a passenger in a 1999 Chevy Blazer that reportedly tried to drive around a lowered railroad crossing near the 200 block of Wisconsin Avenue, authorities said.
The vehicle -- which appeared to be driving with its lights off -- passed the flashing lights on the warning gate and drove onto the crossing, where it was struck by a northbound Amtrak train, said Cpl. Mark Cook of the county sheriff's railroad enforcement unit.
The train pushed the vehicle along the tracks, trapping both occupants inside, authorities said.
Firefighters from Oceanside and Carlsbad were able to cut the injured driver free, said Battalion Chief Pete Lawrence of the Oceanside Fire Department. Tatum was more severely trapped and died before he could be removed, Lawrence said.
The driver was taken by medical helicopter to Scripps La Jolla Hospital, Lawrence said. None of the approximately 65 passengers on the train were hurt.
Tatum, whose awards included the Iraqi Campaign Medal and National Defense Service Medal, joined the Marines in 2004.
Ellie