Miss Deaf Texas struck by train, killed

[kepdawg]

Miss Deaf Texas struck by train, killed

10:28 PM CST on Monday, March 13, 2006

Associated Press

AUSTIN – Tara Rose McAvoy, the reigning Miss Deaf Texas, died Monday afternoon after being struck by a train, officials said.

State pageant director Laura Loeb-Hill told The Associated Press via e-mail Monday night that McAvoy, 18, had been deaf since birth.

McAvoy, who won the state title in June, was to represent Texas at the Miss Deaf America pageant this summer in Palm Desert, Calif., according to Loeb-Hill.

Witness Carlos Burgos told Austin television station KTBC that the train was sounding its horn right up until the time the accident happened.

Authorities believe McAvoy was walking near some tracks when she was struck by a Union Pacific train.

McAvoy had represented Texas "with dignity and pride," Loeb-Hill said.

McAvoy graduated last year from the Texas School for the Deaf, attended Austin Community College and then started at Gallaudet University in January, but had returned to Texas, Loeb-Hill said.

[CHS_CG]

that is soo sad and awful.. poor girl probably didnt even know what was about to happen! Truely a sad event!:(

[luvhoops34]

Kepdawg, I know if you posted it, this story is for real.....but at first glance it looks like a bad joke. :doh:

[LH Panther Mom]

Originally posted by luvhoops34
Kepdawg, I know if you posted it, this story is for real.....but at first glance it looks like a bad joke. :doh:
It was on our news last night. Truly sad for anyone to die this way. :(

[Phil C]

This is horrible news. Prayers for the family and friends.

[AP Panther Fan]

Very sad .... I saw this on the Today Show this morning.:(

[SWMustang]

Not to minimize the sorrow, but why was she walking on train tracks if she couldn't hear.

[AP Panther Fan]

Here's another article that gives a bit more information about her...



Date: March 13th, 2006 11:42:00 p.m.

Miss Deaf Texas Struck & Killed By Train

Austinite Tara McAvoy was the reigning Miss Deaf Texas. She graduated last year from the Texas School For The Deaf.

On Monday, she was struck by a train and killed at the tracks between West Mary and Oltorf in South Austin.

Just after 2 p.m. Monday, a train heading northbound hit and killed McAvoy. Police say she was not walking on the tracks but alongside them, close enough to put her right in harm's way.

Adam Martinez has been a security officer at the Texas School For The Deaf for four years. He didn't know McAvoy well, but he definitely knew of her.

"My heart just feels for her," Martinez said. "She was a real nice student, real nice... very bright. She had a bright future ahead of her."

That's easy to see if you take a look at her school profile. She was a cheerleader and president of her class. She was on the judicial board and the basketball team and was the reigning Miss Deaf Texas. Hers was a bright life, cut short in a matter of seconds on railroad tracks just blocks from her school.

"We don't know if she was actually crossing," said Laura Albrecht with the Austin Police Department. "We do know that she was just off the tracks, west of the tracks, and then was struck by the train."

The train, heading northbound at the time, was a Union Pacific. A spokeperson with the company tells us the conductor honked the horn several times, though McAvoy obviously could not hear it. They also said, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this woman. We would like for people to realize that walking on railroad tracks is very dangerous."

Martinez says he worries about all the time about a driver and a vehicle hitting one of the students.

"We are at a deaf school," Martinez said. "A lot of people just come out whenever they want. They won't hear you."

And although the campus is quiet now because of spring break, Martinez says McAvoy's loss will be felt by all the students.

"A lot of the students are going to feel sad, very sad," Martinez said. "I believe she had a whole lot of friends, and they're like a family here. They're like a family."

Now investigators are talking to the conductor to get more information on how this happened, and you can count on KXAN to bring it to you as soon we get it.

To read full article (videos & pictures), go to:
http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=4625176


the above link is another insight as to what happened...:(