New view of Metrolink crash

Mike Wiederkehr, who was on the second car of Metrolink train No. 111 on Sept. 12, recently sent The Times this photo he took just moments after the crash. In an e-mail, he wrote:

"When I exited the 2nd car of the Metrolink train that wrecked, I instinctively went forward with a couple of other passengers to see what we had hit and check on the first car. When we saw the devastation of the first car and realized it was on its side we knew we could not assist those passengers, and when we realized there was a fire we decided it was best to warn everyone that could move to leave the train. I don't know why, but I took these photos with my cell phone moments after the crash. They may be the first ones taken of the wreck."

In a phone conversation with Mike a few minutes ago, he said that he sent us the photo as a public service (he's not being paid), adding: "I just want to thank all the nameless heroes I witnessed extending care to the many victims."

In our brief talk, Mike and I agreed, too, that the photo illustrates exactly why it's important right now to ask many hard questions about what precautions can or should be taken in the future to prevent another crash like this one. Mike, 51 and a resident of Thousand Oaks, says he has been riding the train for 15 years and has held a Metrolink monthly pass in every month but one in that time.

-- Steve Hymon

Photo: Mike Wiederkehr