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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums"Saved by the Whale's Tail", literally.
Saved by the whale: Runaway train caught by fateful sculpture
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=
A fatefully placed whale sculpture in the Netherlands saved a careening train from certain devastation Monday, catching the lead runaway metro carriage on the graceful arc of its mammoth tail.
The improbable incident unfolded at the De Akkers metro station in Spijkenisse just after midnight. Photos from the scene suggest that the train, part of the Rotterdam Metro network, had been unable to stop as it reached its terminus and overran the track.
Rather than fall more than 30 feet to the ground, the train was brought to a stop by one of two whale tail sculptures at the end of the track. The driver of the train was able to escape. He visited a hospital as a precautionary measure, according to local media reports.
Dutch emergency services have told reporters there were no other passengers aboard.
The artworks official name, Saved by the Whales Tail, now seems apt. Made out of plastic and installed in 2002, its designer seemed surprised it could hold a moving train.
It has been there for almost 20 years, architect Maarten Struijs told NOS. You actually expect the plastic to disintegrate a bit, but that apparently is not the case. Struijs told the Dutch broadcaster that the event was a miracle and that he was impressed by how artistic the train looked on his creation.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/11/02/rotterdam-whale-sculpture-train-crash/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=
A fatefully placed whale sculpture in the Netherlands saved a careening train from certain devastation Monday, catching the lead runaway metro carriage on the graceful arc of its mammoth tail.
The improbable incident unfolded at the De Akkers metro station in Spijkenisse just after midnight. Photos from the scene suggest that the train, part of the Rotterdam Metro network, had been unable to stop as it reached its terminus and overran the track.
Rather than fall more than 30 feet to the ground, the train was brought to a stop by one of two whale tail sculptures at the end of the track. The driver of the train was able to escape. He visited a hospital as a precautionary measure, according to local media reports.
Dutch emergency services have told reporters there were no other passengers aboard.
The artworks official name, Saved by the Whales Tail, now seems apt. Made out of plastic and installed in 2002, its designer seemed surprised it could hold a moving train.
It has been there for almost 20 years, architect Maarten Struijs told NOS. You actually expect the plastic to disintegrate a bit, but that apparently is not the case. Struijs told the Dutch broadcaster that the event was a miracle and that he was impressed by how artistic the train looked on his creation.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/11/02/rotterdam-whale-sculpture-train-crash/
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"Saved by the Whale's Tail", literally. (Original Post)
demmiblue
Nov 2020
OP
genxlib
(5,526 posts)1. Bizarre
That Conductor owes that Artist a Heineken
denbot
(9,899 posts)4. I'd say two Heinekens..
Maybe three?
Celerity
(43,349 posts)8. or one De Molen Hutje & Mutje Woodford Reserve Barrel Aged
grumpyduck
(6,232 posts)2. That's unbelievable, but
I wouldn't stand under it like they're doing.
genxlib
(5,526 posts)5. If you look closely
The walkway is taped off. They are on this side of the tape closer to the camera.
Might be a little close if it toppled over though.
whistler162
(11,155 posts)9. YUp a real fluke
and a whale of a tale for the engineer
crickets
(25,969 posts)3. That is so fortunate.
The alternative scenario is horrible. How wonderful the poor driver was unhurt.
malaise
(268,980 posts)6. The artwork's official name, "Saved by the Whale's Tail," now seems apt
Yah think! Amazing indeed
MLAA
(17,288 posts)7. Saved by the whale!
Liberal In Texas
(13,550 posts)10. Weirdest story today.
Even weirder that Deadbeat Donnie's rants.