To see pictures of the emergency response, click here.
Dozens of C-Train passengers were traumatized Tuesday as they watched a young boy crushed to death after falling headfirst between a moving train and a downtown platform.
For those on-board the 7th Avenue S.W. line between 2nd and 3rd streets shortly after noon, the screaming came first.
Commotion followed as dozens of horrified onlookers rushed to rescue the boy, who was clad in blue jeans and white sneakers.
It was too late -- the child, who was less than five years old -- was killed instantly.
Police and witnesses say the child was with a man believed to be his grandfather when he ran up to the moving Somerset-bound train and was sucked underneath.
His head and torso were wedged between the cement platform and the train.
"Everything was normal until there were these horrible cries and screams," said passenger Greg Ladune.
"I saw people running very fast toward us in the car. People were horrified.
"I can still hear the howls of the family. It was an awful thing to hear."
Witnesses were weeping as they gave statements to police.
Police and Calgary Transit officials are reviewing platform surveillance tapes and scores of witness statements to learn how the boy ended up wedged between the train and the platform.
A language barrier forced investigators to call for an interpreter to help determine what happened.
Calgary police duty inspector Terry Larson said the boy and his family were trying to get on the train as it pulled up, but it's not known if the doors of the train had opened.
Transit officials plan to conduct a mechanical investigation of the C-Train, but no malfunction is suspected.
"Depending on the movement of the train itself, sometimes you can fall in between the train and then get caught in the train as it's moving," said Brian Whitelaw, Calgary Transit's public safety and enforcement co-ordinator.
The tragedy is "very rare" Whitelaw said.
The spectacle of flashing police lights and ambulances attracted much attention from the city's downtown workforce. Lunchtime pedestrians clustered on sidewalks, stood in Plus-15 walkways and peered down from several highrise office towers as scores of investigators worked inside the yellow police tape.
Amid the chaos, a police cruiser racing to the downtown scene northbound on Macleod Trail collided with a car at the intersection of 42nd Avenue S.E. The driver of the other vehicle, two officers and a passenger in the police cruiser were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
One man, a grief-stricken witness who didn't give his name, snapped a cellphone photo of the gory scene.
"I was walking by and he got caught. He tripped and fell headfirst," the man said.
Downtown worker Darlene Queitsch, whose office towers above the scene, said she felt heartsick for the boy's grieving family.
She also said the incident should raise questions about C-Train safety.
"There should be a railing and gates along the yellow line on the platform so these tragic accidents don't happen. It's a safety concern for all parents and even just the general public catching the train," said Queitsch, adding that people are always pushing and shoving.
"I'm sure all us taxpayers could pay a price for the safety of our lives. Spend some money for the public's safety where it's needed."
C-Train service along 7th Avenue was suspended while arrangements were made for shuttle buses.
By 3 p.m., the C-Train was moving and the platform was open for commuters.
szickefoose@theherald.canwest.com
To see pictures of the emergency response, click here.
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
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