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Santa Barbara Man in Critical Condition After Being Hit by Train
A 26-year-old Santa Barbara man is in critical condition after being hit by a train while walking his dogs about 2 p.m. Tuesday.
The victim has been identified as Micah Paul Ross. He is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for severe injuries to his pelvis region.
Ross was hit on the tracks by a southbound passenger train about 100 yards south of the Las Positas Overcrossing.
The train engineer reported that the train was traveling at 63 mph. Without any warning, the train operator saw Ross cross the tracks immediately in front of the train, from north to south. Ross held two medium-sized pit-bull mix dogs on 6 foot leashes. The engineer had no time to sound a warning before Ross was hit.
The two dogs were not injured and remained at the scene. City Animal Control has taken custody of the dogs.
After the collision, the train was delayed at the scene for about an hour.
The engineer said that because the engine of the train was at the rear, the noise from the approaching train would be quieter than otherwise expected. Also, the ambient sound of the adjacent freeway would make hearing the train more difficult.
— Lt. Paul McCaffrey is a public information officer with the Santa Barbara Police Department.
Comments
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» on 12.22.09 @ 10:27 PM
Can’t hear a TRAIN? I’m sorry, but if you walk near a train track you take your chances and stay aware. NOT that I don’t have compassion… but come on.
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» on 12.22.09 @ 11:15 PM
Read the story again, sbnative. The engineer was at the front car controls, but the engine was at the rear, behind all of the cars - several hundred feet back. With traffic noise and no horn sounding, the train would have been comparatively quiet.
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» on 12.22.09 @ 11:53 PM
we are praying for you Micah , get well .
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» on 12.22.09 @ 11:57 PM
ok let’s be serious sbnative, no matter what you think you can hear when you are on the train tracks, if you weren’t there, you have no idea what was heard…not to mention that this is like a freak accident and you should not make comments like that
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» on 12.23.09 @ 12:15 AM
I did read the article, Beach Guy. It so happens I still think you can hear a TRAIN. And yes, I’ve walked dogs near the train track… dude. Never mind if you do walk dogs regularly near a train you would know the Surfliner runs in the afternoon… just sayin’
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» on 12.23.09 @ 10:24 AM
If someone got hit by a Prius because he didn’t hear it while crossing the street, I would wonder why he didn’t look too. In my experience, trains are found mostly on train tracks. Why not look when crossing train tracks? This is sad and unfortunate.
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» on 12.23.09 @ 02:25 PM
Micah, please get well soon!
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» on 12.23.09 @ 03:22 PM
First of all, none of you were there, so none of you know the circumstances of the situation. He was right next to the freeway and the engine cart was in the back of the train. I know it seems like there’s no way you couldn’t hear a train coming but it happened. Maybe he was on the phone or had earphones in. This was a mistake that anyone could have made. I have known Micah and his family for about the last 7 years. He is the most genuine, humble, loving, caring person I have ever met. He works at the humane society here in Santa Barbara and has helped or rescued thousands of animals and people. He fractured his pelvis and was internally bleeding for hours yesterday, and all you people have to say is “How could he not hear a TRAIN?” I was the second person at the hospital yesterday and this has hit me very deeply. There are hundreds of people mourning and praying for him right now. So please, if you don’t have anything positive to say don’t say anything at all. A “Get well soon” might be a little more helpful, considering he will not be able to do daily functions on his own for months to come. We all love you Micah, get better soon.
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» on 12.23.09 @ 04:31 PM
I have often heard from those who believe in “fate” that “it wasn’t my time”. My response to those people is that your time may come sooner if you do certain risky things. For instance, my time might come sooner if I choose to skydive or ride a motorcycle without a helmet. In other words, walking your dogs near the railraod tracks is extremely risky behavior!
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» on 12.23.09 @ 06:21 PM
Thanks Noa Tuteur.
No one knows what happened but Micah. His gut instinct would be, for better or worse, to risk himself for his dogs.
I know Micah. Micah is one of the most lovable, likeable, angelic, kind and giving people I have ever met in my life.
There is a posting on Craigslist under “Pets.” We’re simply collecting Vons gift cards to support his out of state family while they’re here with him.
I love you Micah, and am wishing you & yours all the best. I’m so glad you’re alive.
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» on 12.23.09 @ 07:18 PM
I am a volunteer at the County Shelter where Micah works and have had the pleasure of knowing him for several months now…he is one of the nicest guys I know, so genuine and down to earth. He cares so much for the animals at the shelter and always has a smile for everyone. To the people making comments about not hearing the train - please, those comments are not helpful and are only hurtful to his family and friends. Just keep them to yourselves!
Get well soon Micah! A lot of people are thinking about you and pulling for you! :)
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» on 12.23.09 @ 08:47 PM
First of all—I agree with Noa “If you don’t have anything positive to say, then do not say anything at all!” I have known Micah and his family for a very long time, and he is the kindest, most gentle loving human beings I have met. He embodies the true Aloha spirit and a love for animals that is amazing. What ever the circumstances of why or how it happened are irrelevant at this point. The fact is that it did happen, and people need to be a lot more respectful. You would not want negative things said if it was your son, brother, husband who was injured 2 days before Christmas. We need to send only positive and supportive vibes to Micah so that he is able to have a speedy recovery and can once again enjoy the things he truly loves. Micah-you have an amazing spirit, I love you and i’m sending you all the love and aloha from the islands! Get better soon!
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» on 12.23.09 @ 09:10 PM
This is one of my best friends who I’ve grown up with going back 15years, so “sbnative”, he wouldn’t intentionally want to get hit by a train. Someone almost died here, would you want someone speaking so careless about one of your loved ones? Didn’t think so. Also thank you “Noa” below for explaining Micha’s job and how he tends to and takes pitbulls who have been abandoned by their owners for walks etc. on his own time not on the clock. Love you Micha, I know you’ll get well soon! Love, Lauren
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» on 12.23.09 @ 10:13 PM
Beach Guy…Why would you walk on the train tracks???? Would you walk on the freeway???
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» on 12.23.09 @ 10:17 PM
If he didn’t want to be “intentionally hit by a train” then he shouldn’t be walking anywhere near the train tracks….it is illegal and tresspassing!
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» on 12.23.09 @ 10:34 PM
Obviously this is an unfortunate thing… but I still am going to ask WHY WALK NEAR/ON THE TRAIN TRACKS? I too had a dog almost hit by a train (on a trestle up near El Capitan), I was young and stupid and I would never do it again. If there’s a lesson here folks, it’s find a safer place to walk!
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» on 12.23.09 @ 11:56 PM
Thanks for the thoughts of Aloha sent by so many wonderful people. Hopefully, Micah will be able to read these soon and be humbled by the love and also have the strength to read some of these other comments with equal humility.
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» on 12.24.09 @ 02:09 AM
Actually Micah works at the county shelter not the humane sciety.
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» on 12.24.09 @ 11:40 AM
Micah has been one of my dearest friends for about 20 years going all the way back to when we both lived in Lanikai, Oahu. He has touched so many people he has come in contact with and he is someone i look up to for his down to earth nature and his compassionate soul. I think instead of wondering “why” or “how” someone could do this, we need to understand that freak accidents do happen like this and when they do happen we need to realize how precious life is and be grateful for the people, like Micah, who have touched us in our lives. I love you Micah and I’m constantly thinking of you and praying you have safe recovery. See you in a couple of day’s!!!
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» on 12.24.09 @ 12:56 PM
I truly feel bad for this young man. If it were my son I would feel horrible. That being said, one of the first things I would ask him, after telling him I was glad he is alive, is didn’t you look to see if a train was coming??? Even if you cannot hear a train, who walks across a train crossing without looking both ways. I am glad he survived and hope that he learned a lesson from this and will be more careful in the future.
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» on 12.25.09 @ 09:33 AM
I used to work in Carpinteria and jog at lunch along the bluffs, and therefore sometimes the tracks. I remember one time almost jumping out of my running shorts when I got ready to cross the tracks, took a glance back to see if anything was coming and saw a train bearing down on me about 50 yards away at 70 MPH! The engine was in the rear and the noise was just a whisper. It is very easy for this to happen unless one is very aware of ones surroundings. Our thoughts and prayers are with this young man.
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» on 12.25.09 @ 07:44 PM
Again….never ever walk on near around or close to the tracks….not only is it extremely dangerous it is illegal!
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» on 12.26.09 @ 08:32 AM
Micah I am praying for you! What a tragic thing to go through right before Christmas :[
God bless you during this time, and hopefully your ohana is surrounding you
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» on 12.26.09 @ 02:22 PM
SERIOUSLY…WHAT MORON GOES FOR A WALK ON THE TRACKS…HE DESERVED TO GET HIT!
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» on 12.26.09 @ 04:56 PM
That last comment is ridiculously stupid and uncalled for. Shame on you for being such a jerk.
As for this young man hearing the train or not, does it REALLY make a difference sbnative, if he could hear it or not? The fact remains he was seriously, critically injured and your comments were insensitive. There’s simply no way of knowing what happened during the time when he was hit by the train.
Even if he WAS at fault for not hearing the train, what good does it do to make negative comments about him? He’s injured and needs support and good will right now.
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» on 12.27.09 @ 01:50 AM
Tort reform now—stop the whinning—California is the Nanny state..
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» on 01.03.10 @ 06:11 PM
Micah, I’ve been thinking of you every day since I heard the news….I am praying for you and wish you the BEST. You are a kind and strong person. I’m hoping you recover soon.
-Wendy & Kiwi(Cindy)
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» on 01.04.10 @ 05:28 PM
Micah, we love you and are praying for you! SBNative, and all others who had anything negative to say…. Where is your compassion. Whatever happened happened and all anyone should say is that it was unfortunate and that they hope Micah does well and pulls through this. Put yourself in the shoes of people who love him… how would you feel if it was one of your friends or family.
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» on 01.04.10 @ 05:30 PM
WOWO MAN
he did not deserve to get hit. DON’T YOU EVER COME TO HAWAII…
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» on 01.05.10 @ 12:05 AM
IT WAS AN ACCIDENT! We all have accidents big and small through out our lives! I didn’t realize how many people are missing a heart, I feel sorry for you all….it must SUCK to be you! Also as the above message said “all of Hawaii”.....well written, thank god we don’t have hotels in our town to store horrible people such as those writing nasty notes here! Being an amazing, fun, loving, and funny person such as Micah doesn’t immune you to tragedies…but the least anyone can do is hope he makes a full recovery. FYI driving over the speed limit is also illegal, but none of you have ever done that? Please. Micah see ya soon xo
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