Train Guard Found Guilty Over Girl's Death

[blisterpack]

I saw this article today and am really confused. How can a train guard be found guilty of manslaughter when an accident like this happens? And the quote from the poor guard,
McGee told the jury he thought Georgia was moving away from the train when he gave the signal to depart. He also said he did not know how drunk she was.

Should he have known then?

[Pinkforever]

Yes loads of 16 year olds do go clubbing-I done it myself. However I didnt get so drunk or high that I was a danger to myself. People have to take responsibility. He made a genuine mistake but he does not deserve 5 years in prison imo.

[Greensleeves]

I wonder if he looked at her and thought like you do Pinkforever.

[spoonsspoonsspoons]

I actually think the conviction is reasonable. It is the sentencing that seems disproportionate on comparison to other cases.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

If she was sober and just felt ill it would have been deserved though?

Shocking victim blaming.

[Pinkforever]

I am at your increduality fanjo as the majority of posters on here seem to be agreeing with me....

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

well I am at them as well, to be fair.

[Pinkforever]

I wouldt like to be a guard working on those trains at the weekend. I have been on the last train home and seen what they have to put up with. Of course the girl didnt deserve to die but she wasnt entirely blameless by putting herself in such a dangerous position. Why ruin this mans whole life too?.

[Greensleeves]

because he caused the death of a sixteen year old girl?

Jesus.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Well, you aren't one of the guards, but if you were you would have to do your job properly or face sanctions, no matter what you had to put up with.

I have to deal with shitty people at work, would I be justified in punching them...no.

[Pinkforever]

He made a mistake. She also made a mistake by leaning on or trying to get back on the train when it was about to pull out.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

"I have been on the last train home and seen what they have to put up with. "

Does that justify being less careful to kill the passengers then? Seems like that is what you are saying.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

maybe she assumed it wouldnt pull out while she was leaning on it?

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

as indeed it should NOT have

[MrsHoarder]

The difference between the guard and a doctor is partly that we are more prepared for doctors to do things which carry risks to our lives because if they don't we wouldn't get medical treatment beyond 2 paracetamol. There is no need for train guards to put lives at risks and their job is to make sure the train is clear before ordering it to move: he didn't do that. He could have shouted for her to stand clear or gone and moved her and he didn't so she died.

[Pinkforever]

I dont think that is what I said at all. My point is that drunk people have to take some responsibility for their actions and putting themselves into dangerous situations. Whether they are 16 or 100.

[spoonsspoonsspoons]

i think irrespective of the fact that the guard should have been keeping her safe it's important that teenagers learn that there's not always going to be someone to do that.

In my first week of uni a girl got very drunk and ran off from the people she was with and across a dual carriageway, killed instantly. Seeing her devestated parents arrive in halls to pack up her things was a great lesson in responsible drinking but i wish i could have learned it a different way.

[Pinkforever]

Greensleeves-I am reporting that vile comment. You muppet.

[Greensleeves]

Be my guest.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

well you don't really learn if you are killed by a train. So maybe that's not really helpful.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

unless you think it was worthwhile because her friends will learn to be careful on the train?

[izzyishavingababyAGAIN]

I feel for the teen and the family - but I also feel for the train guard and his family.

It was a terrible mistake - not murder.

I am sure her family feel differently.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

yes it wasn't murder, it was manslaughter by gross negligence. If it had been murder he would have got a life sentence not 5 years.

[malinois]

If your negligence while in charge of a train results in a death you get 5 years inside.

If your negligence while in charge of a car results in a death, you get 250 hours community service and a 1 year driving ban

Hardly seems fair does it?