Citizen Bytes

Did you retrieve your computer with all your vacation pictures on it?

Wow, that was quite an experience; thanks for sharing. It will help me know what to expect if that ever happens to me, somewhere where they have subways.

A Via Rail Trauma Kit Flashlight was entrusted to Robyn Burns and she was asked to return it.
Why did she not return it ?

After Robyn was out of harms way, perhaps someone else would have benefited from the use of that flashlight.
It does belong in the trauma kit,correct ?

Hi: By reading Robyn Burns story about her experience with Via Rail, it would make most people think twice about riding the rails. To be treated in such a manor in a rather serious matter by a professional Corporation is appalling to say the least. For them to demand that the people return a two-bit flashlight, what a joke. I don't believe I'll be riding the rails any time soon.,I'll pack my own flashlight if I do.

Sensationalize much? You weren't in the middle of a suicide bombing, you were on a train.

It seems to me that a CBC reporter just wants to fanticize what happen so people feel sorry for her. After all most passanger trains have a basic personel staff and they would have to be dealing with a fire, people needing specialized help. She never mentioned calling 911 where they could have traced her call to send help but, she had time to phone her mom and boy friend. To me this report makes her look very self centered and she should be disciplined.

"I pushed my way forward and stood waiting for the doors to be opened." - Why were you pushing and creating undue panic and more chaos?

"The doors opened and no one pushed." - did you also push this time?

"...So I just kept walking away until a VIA Rail employee yelled at us (without a megaphone, as it was broken) to come back closer to the train." -Why are you wondering off? you could get lost, maybe someone "Stole" the megaphone.... maybe you did.

"As the Via employees passed them out, they said "Make sure we get these back." I still have that flashlight." - so now you steal the Emergency supplies when you were well aware there was a shortage.. did you also push your way to the front of this line?

"A good 200 of us continued to walk between the tracks. They had said it was going to be a 1.6 km walk. It was more like four." - Do you know the actual distance, or are you skewing the facts so we are more sympathetic to YOUR laziness? would you have preferred to be on one of the train-trucks... maybe taken some kids seat or perhaps an old man could have walked it instead of you?

"...There was none of that when I returned at 7:20 a.m. to pick up my luggage. I just walked in and walked out" - did you steal anyone's luggage, since you stole the flashlight from "Via Rail Trauma Kit"
seriously CBC i would NEVER admit that this "person" was part of or affiliated with my "News" team.

Good work on making a bad situation worse, then writing an extremely biased article.

I have to wonder how long it will be until Via Rail calls you to request their flashlight back.

I have had several of these hot-cold experiences with Via Rail, especially in the recent past. I feel that they strive to maintain control over the patrons to keep order in place, but by refusing to communicate what the problem is they incite fear and anxiety in the patrons, reducing their loyalty and respect for the Via personnel. This event is a warning to Via Rail that their patron communication needs to dramatically improve in order to withstand a serious disaster.

this article isn't very clear. did you get your laptop and bag back or were they lost?

I work with someone whose daughter was on the same train. She felt it exiting to experience something out of the norm. But then some people see the glass 1/2 full. But also unlike our journalist she took the 1.6 km route.

boring...

No interest to anyone. Get over it.

I wonder what would have happened if it was winter??? 1.6km walk in -30?? this should be a wake up call for VIA & a chance to put something together. JUST IN CASE!!!

At least everyone is safe and sound that is a good thing.. If one contrasts this to a fire in an aircraft, the consequences are usually total destruction..so three cheers for the train..Thank you Via rail.

Wow, that stretch of track is definately all bog and bush, not a great place to be stranded. Thank you for sharing this story with us, I was especially pleased to see no one was panicking and left in an orderly fashion. Kudos to the staff and riders for being adults in surely trying times! But, remember to give your flashlight back--you never know when they will be needed next!

I find it interesting how the author of this article is so caught up in her own possessions and selfish feelings that she doesn't bother to wonder if everyone is safe.

That was a very well written description of the events you have experienced, Well done! I felt like I was there!

This sounds a bit like a non story. I didn't hear of anyone being hurt. Shrug. Sounds a bit like a make-work story.

Seems that was handled reasonably well. I don't know there is really a story there. My train caught fire I got off and got on a bus. end of story

This is the second account I have read of this incident in which a power unit of this train has been called an engine car. What ever happened to the term locomotive? Or is "Engine Car" some sort of new twitter speak for those who cannot spell longer words?

Sorry but I have to say it - How Canadian! How polite!

With other "disasters", the medics are there saving the unfortunate. In Canada, it's worthy of note that they brought hand cleaners for the poor people who had to pee in the bush.

Life is really tough here in Canada unlike the rest of the world where they don't get hand wipes after the disaster. C'mon, really! How dramatic.

I am sure that the whole thing was terrifying - but dignifying this thing as a "report" is a little much - please send this person back to the bush.

everything happens in this life and this particular story is not worth time and money spent on it.

so im curious did u get your carry on bag and your laptop back ok? or was it stolen or soemthing along that lines?

Wow, some people are being really hard on this woman for her supposedly selfish attitudes. I know this stretch of rail and the surrounding swampy ground; it is not a place anyone would want to be at night, either standing around or stumbling along the tracks as it darkened. I frequently travel VIA and do find the attitudes of the staff varies considerably. Clear, calming communication from them is not too much to expect. Kudos to the fire fighters.

Forget the flashlight, what about her belongings? The 1.6 km hike...not fun for those who decided to wear flip flops or heals that day. The passengers plan trips. It's up to Via to plan for disasters.

I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments. Even the rather critical ones.

I was asked by CBC News online to submit this as a personal account rather than an article. And I do believe a personal account is permitted to be rather self-centered.

And I must say putting myself in the opposite chair to be interviewed and thus scrutinized is uncomfortable, but acts as a great eye-opener.

I doubt any of the above commenters will read this, but I wanted to set the record straight that I'm a glass half-full type of person. I received my lap-top and weekend bag in top shape. And more than anything I'm happy everyone arrived safe and sound.

Oh and... I'll be keeping that flashlight.

Hi There!
Robyn stayed with us a few years ago when her family moved to another location and she wanted to finish her school year here in Nelson. We were pretty much strangers at the time with common good friends who referred her to us. I was a little surprised with her story of how she managed to remember to get her purse and her computer during all the chaos as she had problems remembering to put the lid back on the toothpaste in the morning. I credit myself with which she handled herself during a scary experience as I used to sneak up on her on Thursday mornings with a couple of pairs of my used sweaty socks and chase her around the house telling her it was sock smelling day. You are blessed to have an employee like Robyn-Miss Congeniality-I hope you pay her well. Always enjoy the C.B.C.
Best Regards
Terry

I am surprised at how many ppl commented about the flashlight. Who cares?

Your story impressed on the reader the fact that VIA Rail was unprepared for an event of this nature. Yes, everyone was safe but the fact is there was a lot of uncertainty. Better communication would have made everyone more comfortable. This is a learning experience for all of us.

Honestly, while this was to be considered a personal account, I would hope a CBC reporter would have more in-depth insight and be far less critical of Via workers in an emergency situation. No one was seriously injured, so as far as I'm concerned they handled it successfully and any such whining from passengers just shows how ungrateful folks are.

Seems to me most people that have made comments on here have nothing better to do than criticize someone's story without actually thinking about what they're writing. I think Robyn did a great job of describing what the accident was like for the average person. Why does everyone have to be a 'hero'? The word's over-used in the media anyway.

Seriously, do you really think it would have been necessary for her to call 911? She's a passenger on a VIA train with security, engineering and various other personnel - I'm sure they'd already taken care of that. It's not like the train derailed!

Of course she's going to call her family and loved ones... If all she had to do was walk off the train, with no injuries, or need to help those around her - I'd be kind of upset if a family member didn't contact me to let me know he/she was okay.

Selfish story? Please. Robyn's telling her side of the story, what she saw and experienced. Would you rather have heard about her take on the person sitting next to her's laptop? How heroically she helped the passengers off the train, single handedly, while carrying a crying baby and someone's lost puppy?

I enjoyed your article, Robyn. Sometimes a story is just a story.

I have a friend who was also on that train, and she usually complains a lot, but i was shocked to find out someone could complain more than her.

Some people mentioned in the article that the staff weren't prepared for this time of emergency. I don't think it is very possible to plan ahead of time for the train bursting into flames in the middle of the woods

In all honesty Robyn, I enjoyed your point of view of this fiasco, i think it was entertaining, but i also think it was very bitter and although you may not agree, VIA deserve a bit more credit than what you have given them, after all you did receive a free trip didnt you :P