Fourth of July Monorail Incident

[Notatourist]

I just saw Austin's photograph. I knew him.

Not well, just to trade remarks about how bad Aramark food is, but that's one of the fundamental bonds all cast members share.

"Big goofy kid having the time of his life," is how I'd describe him from our brief contacts. Here he is, a monorail pilot at 21, when I had to wait until I was 45 before I could become a Disney railroad conductor. No wonder he had an easy smile.

I curse this surgery now that will likely prevent me attending a memorial service to represent those cast who will be working that day and to show his family how large his impact.

Oh bother, now *I* need a hankie, and I'd been doing so well today!

Zazu-

Hugs, honey. Hugs.

[hhsrat]

Relieved to know it's not one of our SGT members (BW, sorry about the text at 7am), but also saddened by this incident.

Thoughts and prayers to his friends and family members.

[Syndrome]

The Celebration intranet is secured (i.e. only residents can view the forums), but there is an outpouring of care and prayers coming from there too. Many families had sons and daughters who knew him and had him in their homes or even taught him at Celebration High School, and everyone has a kind word and praise/admiration for him. I hope the prayers and love somehow reach his family; I know how badly they must need comfort in the face of this tragedy.

[Magicalkingdoms]

my heart is overwhelmed with sadness
prayers to the family and friends. :(

[Main Streeter]

Read BW's post this early a.m. He was ok so I never thought to research further as I was going to bed. As I think back.... I should have TXT BW. This so cuts hearts of CMs at DLR also. Have been in shock & crying all day. Doesn't help when others ask what happened at WDW. The strong bond of CM love/loyalty seems some comfort. All my prayers are with monorail pilot Austin. He will be greatly missed at WDW. I'm hoping this site may be able to help his family & give a very special tribute to Austin. Let's put our prayers & powers together, because together is the only way CMs & other posters can get through this.

[February]

I just saw Austin's photograph. I knew him.

Zazu, I am so sorry.

I haven't stopped crying all day. There are literally only one or two places you can go in my house and not be in visual range of a monorail in one form or another. They are everywhere, here. Every time I see one all I can see is those two trains over the TTC, looking horrifically wrong.

I'm wracking my brain to try to figure out how it could have happened.

This is just a nightmare and I feel so bad for Austin's family.

I just wish I could hug all of the CM's today and tell them how sorry I am.

You know, my heart sinks thinking of how difficult it must be for all cms to 'go on with the show' today. I am sure there have been thousands of individual moments of courage, where they steadied themselves and knew that they had to do their best for all of us, the guests. They had to try.

I'm so proud of them all.

and here a hug for you ((((((Mainstreeter)))))))

Bru

[kurtisnelson]

Bru, one of the first things I thought of was how Austin could have probably bailed out of his train since he was in the station when the other one came in, but that he instead was likely doing everything in his power to get his train and his guests out of there.

[idratherbeinwdw]

Bru, one of the first things I thought of was how Austin could have probably bailed out of his train since he was in the station when the other one came in, but that he instead was likely doing everything in his power to get his train and his guests out of there.

I was just saying this to my daughter. My thoughts were the same as yours: Austin was acting heroically, he was trying to get his guests to safety. He had to have seen the other monorail coming and probably could have jumped out of harm's way.

[BWILover]

Big Wallaby--Glad to hear you are ok. When I spoke to one of my Boardwalk friends this morning and she told me what happened, my first thought was hoping it wasn't you. I know we have never met but in a sense I feel like I know you. Sorry for the loss of a fellow cast member and my prayers go out to him and his family.

[Saint March]

This is the best explaination I've read about how this could have happened. When I heard a driver was killed I naturally assumed his train must have been moving and hit a parked one. The reality is that purple, with Austin, was parked, and pinked backed into the front of purple. This site gives an explaination about how this could have happened and why the safeties would not have stopped it. It makes sense. I will be interested to see Disney's investigation results.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/8896/WDW_Upd ... illing_one