Suicides on train tracks up: 'Copycatting is an element'
(The following story by Mary Wisniewski appeared on the Chicago Tribune website on August 24, 2010.)
CHICAGO Suicides on train tracks are up sharply in Illinois, and a state safety expert believes the heavily reported death of Metra executive director Philip Pagano may be a factor.
"Copycatting is an element," said Chip Pew, Illinois Commerce Commission state coordinator for Illinois Operation Lifesaver.
He said there have been at least 16, possibly 17, suicides by train so far this year. Typically, Illinois sees 10 to 12 suicides in an entire year, so if the pace continues, this year's total could double the average.
Pew said that the economy could also be a factor in the increase in suicides, though it's hard to speculate on why an individual would choose this way to die.
"It's unfortunate to think that people's lives are in such a state of flux that they would make that choice," said Pew.
Pagano killed himself by standing in front of a Metra train on May 7, after it was revealed that he had stolen money from the commuter rail agency.
In an incident last week, Barrington High School student Graham Clarke took his own life by stepping in front of an oncoming Metra train.
Pew said that a person may consider suicide for a few days before trying it, and train employees or commuters may notice someone day after day acting "fidgety" near the tracks. People should call local law enforcement if they see this kind of behavior.
Any kind of fatality is "extremely traumatic for the crew" of the train, Pew said. "Some think 'I killed that person,' " Pew said.
Overall, collisions resulting from trespassing on tracks are about average this year compared with previous years. Most trespassing incidents involve men age 40-49. Trespassing means being on the tracks outside of a crossing area.
Pew said people who cross tracks may be fooled by the train's size into thinking it isn't coming as fast as it is. This is an optical illusion -- similar to the way a plane may appear to be hardly moving when it is actually flying at 200 mph.
