ChrisCooper
Established Member
It's a complicated issue, not just when it comes to the railways but in general, as far as breaking the law in the attempt to preserve life goes. There is plenty of precedent to say it's OK in various circumstances though, for example no-one would think twice about prosecuting someone for breaking and entering if they did so in an emergeny. I think the law would mainly come into it if you did something that put other's lives at risk. The presedent there is people who break speed limits or run red lights whilst trying to get someone to the hospital. By doing so they are putting the person they are trying to save, themselves, and any other road user they might hit at risk. When it comes to personal risk, as has been said you shouldn't put yourself at risk in an attempt to save someone else, as not only are you risking your own life, but you're no use to them dead or injured either (infact depending on the circumstances you could divert resources from them and make things worse). This applies as much to professionals as ordinary members of the public, sometimes more so as they are far more valuble in an emergency.
In terms of the specific situation, I would say crossing the track would be a very bad idea. Not only are you putting yourself at risk (and since the fact that you would be doing it suggests you are the only person around, you're also putting the victim at risk because if you're dead who's going to help them?), but there is little point in it. In a circumstance like that the time for you to safely get to the person it not going to be crucial, and for most people there is little that they could do anyway. Calling the emergency services would be the best initial response, something that's hard to do when you're splatted across the front of a train.
Oviously there are other circumstances though. If the person had fallen onto the track, that's another matter. Their life is in imediate danger. Of cource if it's third rail, particularly if they are in contact with it, thats another matter entirely. Still even in those circumstances the best thing would be to attempt to get trains stopped. That would be exactly what either rail staff or emergency service workers would also do. Of cource people don't always think straight in those circumstances, and that's how dead heros are made. Really it's the sort of situation where old fasioned common sence is needed. Weighing up the benefit against the risk to yourself. Oviously many people would say that a significant risk or even sacrifice is worthwhile if it would save a number of people, or a loved one.
In terms of the specific situation, I would say crossing the track would be a very bad idea. Not only are you putting yourself at risk (and since the fact that you would be doing it suggests you are the only person around, you're also putting the victim at risk because if you're dead who's going to help them?), but there is little point in it. In a circumstance like that the time for you to safely get to the person it not going to be crucial, and for most people there is little that they could do anyway. Calling the emergency services would be the best initial response, something that's hard to do when you're splatted across the front of a train.
Oviously there are other circumstances though. If the person had fallen onto the track, that's another matter. Their life is in imediate danger. Of cource if it's third rail, particularly if they are in contact with it, thats another matter entirely. Still even in those circumstances the best thing would be to attempt to get trains stopped. That would be exactly what either rail staff or emergency service workers would also do. Of cource people don't always think straight in those circumstances, and that's how dead heros are made. Really it's the sort of situation where old fasioned common sence is needed. Weighing up the benefit against the risk to yourself. Oviously many people would say that a significant risk or even sacrifice is worthwhile if it would save a number of people, or a loved one.
