Selectmen Search For Solutions To Stop Train Station Deaths

MANSFIELD, MA — With four deaths in the past two years at the tracks near the Mansfield train station, town officials are hoping to find a way to prevent the loss of life at a notoriously dangerous area when a train comes by.

The board heard a presentation on preventing suicide by train Wednesday. In the past two years, one person in Mansfield was killed trying to cross the tracks to get to their car, one person was on a 4x4 vehicle and got stuck on the tracks, and two people committed suicide.

The Mansfield area is known to be more dangerous due to the high-speed Amtrak and Acella trains that blaze from Attleboro to Route 128 in Westwood at over 100 mph. The high speeds can easily suck someone into the vacuum created by the station.

Selectman Jess Aptowiz recommended installing blue lights around the tracks. In Japan, train stations that installed the lights saw a decrease in suicides. Stopping intentional trespassing could be a difficult challenge, Aptowitz said.

“The only way you could stop it is fencing up and down. We can talk about people not trespassing but if someone wants to get in, they’re going to get in,” Aptowitz said.

Selectman George Dentino said he would like to see a sensor-based system that sounds an alarm, which Selectman Steve Schoonveld agreed with.

“I think having sensors at the station could detect whether someone gets on the tracks. Frankly I would love to have elevated platforms across the whole thing,” Schoonveld said. “Something has to be done at the station if we’re going to have people living within 50 feet of that platform.”

Officer Dana Nye of the MBTA Transit Police said the sensor-technology is in the works but it’s not ready.

“If it gets developed it would be great to have here,” she said.

Incoming Mansfield Superintendent of Schools Teresa Murphy said she would be open to a partnership that would teach kids about the dangers of playing near train tracks.

Image: File Photo