A woman died in an unusual and violent way in the municipality of Nopala de Villagrán, Hidalgo, in Mexico, when she tried to record the passage of a steam locomotive known as The Empress, who arrived in town from Canada. Dozens of people had gotten dangerously close to the edge of the tracks, with the aim of watching the train pass, as an event for the place.
Accidentally, the young woman was run over by the edge of the machine that passed at full speed. It happened when she wanted to take a photo, in selfie mode, recording the moment in which The Empress walked past her. The proximity to the road ended up being fatal.
The images show how the young woman, who was with a group of people waiting for the passage of The Empress 2816, precise name of the locomotive. The unfortunate man tried to expose her and his head was hit with a piston and he fell violently to the floor. According to local information, it was later learned that the young woman died instantly as a result of the severe bruise.
The video quickly circulated on social networks. There, it is also seen that at the time of her death, just before being hit by the piston of La Emperatriz, the woman touched the head of a child who was accompanying her. Apparently, with the aim of telling him to stay crouched and cling to her leg. According to local media reports, the minor did not suffer physical consequences from the accident.
The recording also shows that some of the people present were in uniform and were minors, so they could be students from a secondary school. In the background a voice was heard that, with an imperative tone, seemed to warn them to move further away from the train tracks. “Move! Move! “Get out!” is heard.
After the brutal impact, a man approached to try, in vain, to help the young woman. They run off the tracks and the rest of the people move around the area, while others try to call an ambulance before the video cuts off. The scenes are of despair.
After the shocking episode, the authorities reiterated the messages referring to security measures to prevent situations of these characteristics from being repeated, with the logical recommendation of maintaining a safe distance when trying to enjoy the passage of a train.
After passing through the Mexican municipality, the Canadian Pacific locomotive continued on its way to Mexico City, arriving in Cuautitlán Izcalli shortly before 5:00 p.m. and is expected to arrive in Pantaco.
The cities contemplated for this tour in Mexico are Laredo, Monterrey, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, Mexico City, Lázaro Cárdenas and Veracruz.
The Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) launched this commemorative event with the commissioning of the Empress, a vintage steam locomotive. The journey, called the Final Spike Anniversary Steam Tour, covers key points in Canada, the United States and Mexico, marking the first time that a railway company connects these three countries through a railway line.
The main objective of this trip is to highlight the importance and legacy of the CPKC as a vital infrastructure that unites the three nations of North America. Restoration of the locomotive Empress sought to offer a tribute to the engineering of the past while demonstrating the adaptation of rail transportation in the current context. The tour not only celebrates the history of the company, but also its evolution and capacity for renewal.
The Final Spike Anniversary Steam Tour It aims to make visible how rail transport has changed and adapted over time. The Empresscarefully restored for this event, symbolizes these changes and highlights the continuity of railroad history in North America.
