UA student struck by train
Sigma Chi member hit on tracks near campus
Jack Willems
Issue date: 3/27/09 Section: News
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Colby Helffrich, 21, was walking away from Dickson Street Thursday when he approached the train tracks where the Maple Street and Lafayette Street bridges meet, said Rick Crisman, public information officer for the Fayetteville Police Department. Helffrich then lay down between the tracks and fell asleep, Crisman said.
The operator of an oncoming train spotted Helffrich and attempted to stop, blowing the whistle several times, but the conductor could not stop the train, Crisman said. Because Helffrich was lying in between the tracks, most of the train went over him, but Helffrich's hand, which was on one of the tracks, was crushed and severed, Crisman said.
Police arrived at the scene 2 a.m. Thursday to find Helffrich still under the stopped train, Crisman said.
"They had to back up the train to get him out," he said.
The train is owned by the Arkansas-Missouri Railroad, said Ron Sparks, chief of the railroad police for the company. Sparks arrived at the scene at 2:15 a.m. The train operator did well to stop the train as soon as he did, but by the time the train was stopped, Helffrich was underneath the third engine, Sparks said. The train had to be separated to get to Helffrich, he said.
"Those trains cannot stop," Sparks said.
Afterward, the conductor talked to Helffrich to let him know someone was there, but he could not provide any medical services while Helffrich was trapped under the train, Sparks said. The Fayetteville Police Department, Fire Department and Central Emergency Medical Services did a good job handling the situation, Sparks said.
"Normally, people do not survive those accidents," Sparks said. "It is because of those people that he is still here right now."
According to a report from 40/29 News, police confirmed that alcohol was involved in the incident. Helffrich had been drinking with friends earlier in the night, Sparks said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 56
Beer_Man
posted 3/26/09 @ 11:22 PM CST
Was it really necessary to include that alcohol was involved? Is that not obvious? He was walking home from Dickson Street and just decided to lay in the middle of the train tracks. (Continued…)
Bob Tiberius
J
posted 3/27/09 @ 12:21 AM CST
I'm glad you posted on this. If you hadn't, I probably wouldn't have ever read the first couple paragraphs and had such a good laugh.
"Thish looksh like ash good a plashe ash any. (Continued…)
Bob Tiberius
J
posted 3/27/09 @ 12:27 AM CST
At least it wouldn't have ended...not would've have...that just makes no sense that way
I must be drinking.
What is that sound...
Charles McClure
posted 3/27/09 @ 1:19 AM CST
This incident begs the question: if Colby had smoked a joint or two instead of drinking a dangerously high quantity of alcohol, would this still have occurred?
It's a miracle that he is alive, but I can't help but point out that this incident was obviously the direct effect of extreme alcohol intoxication. (Continued…)
L
posted 3/27/09 @ 6:25 AM CST
Hey, we've all had our moments. The poor guy is suffering enough. Making fun of the situation won't help him get better, nor will it help his friends and family get through their shock and pain. (Continued…)
shele
posted 3/27/09 @ 10:48 AM CST
Think what his parents must think. If one of my kids did that when they fully recovered I would be like what the heck were you thinking
Carly
posted 3/27/09 @ 10:49 AM CST
Hey show some respect. The article didn't mention it, but he has MAJOR head injuries. eh didn't just lose his hand. He may not come out of this, so I don't think you should be making fun of him. (Continued…)
lucky
have some respect
posted 3/27/09 @ 1:10 PM CST
He nearly lost his LIFE. It's a miracle he's still alive. He is in critical condition right now & his family and friends are sick at the thought of losing him. (Continued…)
Megan
posted 3/27/09 @ 6:12 PM CST
Wow Charles, way to use another person's tragic accident as a way to further your own cause! That sure is classy. Oh yeah pot sure is the thing to get the mental processes working way better than alcohol. (Continued…)
spike
posted 3/27/09 @ 6:36 PM CST
Assuming he survives, won't he just feel even more invincible?
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