Tag Archives: caused

Motorsport

Train Crashes and Derails After Colliding with Stuck Semi-Truck

In a shocking incident in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, a BNSF train crashed into a semi-truck that was stuck on the railroad tracks, causing a derailment. Videos of the incident were captured and show the dramatic scene. Cleanup operations are still ongoing a day after the crash.

The collision occurred at around 5:00 PM local time on August 21, 2023, at the intersection of LA Highway 182 and Airport Boulevard. As a result, the police had to close off the area and redirect traffic. Initially, the authorities evacuated the surrounding area for safety reasons, but people were allowed back after two hours.

The video above combines two separate clips. The first clip starts just as the train is about to hit the semi-truck, followed by a massive cloud of smoke that obscures the area. The second clip provides a better view of the vehicle stuck on the railroad crossing and the ensuing collision.

Motor1.com reached out to BNSF for a statement regarding the incident. According to a spokesperson from the railway company, “At approximately 5 PM CST on Monday, a train struck a semi-truck that was occupying the Airport Boulevard crossing in New Iberia, Louisiana. This resulted in the derailment of 20 railcars and two locomotives, which were carrying mixed freight including plastic pellets. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the crew, and no hazardous materials were compromised. The cause of the incident is currently under investigation. Highway 182 is closed in both directions from the Iberia Parish line to Darby Lane while BNSF personnel work alongside local law enforcement to clear the incident.”

In addition to the plastic pellets, the train was also transporting acrylic acid. “That commodity was not compromised,” confirmed a BNSF spokesperson to Motor1.com.

A separate statement on BNSF’s website indicates that the estimated time for reopening the main track is Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at 4:00 AM.

According to The Daily Iberian, a local newspaper, the semi-truck driver managed to escape the vehicle before the crash. While some debris struck a white van, fortunately, no one inside the van was injured.

Technology

TikTok Head Dent Debunked: Why You Don’t Have To Worry About Your Headphones

The myth of the headphone dent can be easily debunked, but the online uproar surrounding it brings attention to a larger problem. With the rise of various social networks and different levels of content moderation, spreading misinformation online has become easier than ever before.

A recent study from the University of Southern California found that network algorithms are more responsible for promoting inaccurate news or facts on social media platforms than actual users. While the exact reasons for this phenomenon are still uncertain, the study discovered that platforms often encourage users to develop habits of sharing information in order to gain more attention to their profiles. On the other hand, the moderation and fact-checking systems are not as appealing, resulting in a greater incentivization of misinformation.

Although this issue appears to be prevalent across social media in general, some researchers are particularly concerned about TikTok’s role in spreading misinformation. An investigation by NewsGuard revealed that over 20 percent of news-related TikTok videos, ranging from five seconds to ten minutes in length, contain some level of misinformation. Another study from the University of Illinois outlines the tactics used to spread false information, such as misspelled hashtags. It also suggests that the fast-paced video format of TikTok allows users to consume more content within a short period of time, potentially leading to an algorithm filled with misinformation. While the panic surrounding the permanent headphone dent is relatively minor as a case of misinformation, it raises broader questions about the current state of information distribution online.

Motorsport

Dramatic Video Shows SUV Plunging into Washed-Out Bridge During Typhoon Doksuri

A dashcam video captured the terrifying moment when an SUV drove into a hole on a washed-out bridge in Harbin, China. The incident occurred during the heavy rainfall caused by Typhoon Doksuri in the northeastern part of the country. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The video, taken on a foggy day, starts with the road appearing normal. However, a sudden gap appears on the horizon. The dashcam recording shows a white SUV in the fast lane, seemingly unaware of the hole as there is no sign of brake lights.

The footage then transitions to the aftermath of the incident. Rescuers can be seen on the scene, although the presence of bystanders complicates the view. They appear to be pulling someone out of the hole, and another vehicle is briefly visible in the crater.

Harbin, the capital of China’s Heilongjiang province, experienced severe storms and flooding due to Typhoon Doksuri. According to Reuters, the region received over 3.9 inches of rain in a few hours. As a result, more than 53,000 people had to be evacuated due to rising water levels in reservoirs and rivers, as reported by the Associated Press.

The typhoon also caused damage in other parts of China. Beijing broke a 140-year record for weekly rainfall, resulting in at least 10 deaths and 18 missing people, according to BBC News.

Typhoon Doksuri initially made landfall in the Philippines, sinking a ferry and resulting in the loss of 26 lives. In Taiwan, the storm brought heavy rainfall of up to 3.3 feet in some areas, causing power outages.

Forecasters predict that Tropical Storm Khanun could bring more rain to the areas affected by Typhoon Doksuri. The storm has already impacted South Korea and Japan, as reported by The Independent.