Teen Killed Crossing Railroad Tracks

Chris Van Horne, NBC 5 Fort Worth Reporter

A teenager was hit and killed by a freight train on Sunday after crossing between cars of a stopped train on another track.

Teen Killed Crossing Railroad Tracks

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A teenager was hit and killed by a freight train Sunday afternoon in south Fort Worth.

The accident, according to Union Pacific Railroad, happened around 2:30 p.m. a half mile north of Sycamore School Road near Hallmark Park.

Fort Worth Police called it a "tragic accident."

Fort Worth police spokesman Sgt. Kelly Peel said that five boys were crossing through a stopped train Sunday afternoon.

"We think they were going to a neighborhood store from their neighborhood," Sgt. Peel said.

He said the boys were crossing in-between two of the cars. Four of the boys made it across safely, but a northbound train on an adjacent track hit the fifth boy before he could cross.

Union Pacific says that boy was 16-years-old. The railroad told NBC 5 the engineer sounded the whistle and the emergency brake was applied, but the brake often takes a mile before stopping a train. The teen was hit and killed by the locomotive. Three crew members were onboard, but uninjured.

"This is a very said situation for everyone involved," spokeswoman Raquel Espinoza said.

Espinoza said the three crew members would be reached out to by the company if they have any problems related to the accident.

Police homicide detectives assisted Union Pacific Police in the investigation and could be seen talking to several teenagers around the accident scene on Sunday afternoon.

Espinoza says the only safe and legal place to cross railroad tracks is at a designated crossing, where the tracks are typically even with the road and have appropriate gates, signs and flashing lights. She says anyone crossing at any other location or on any railroad equipment is trespassing.

"It's very dangerous to cross the railroad tracks, especially through a train that's stopped because you don't know what's on the other side," Sgt. Peel said.

Sgt. Peel said police have had issues with children playing on the tracks in the past, but was unaware of any recent calls. The tracks are located near several athletic fields.

The teenager has not yet been identified. The investigation into the accident is continuing.

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New Way You Can Track Crime in Dallas

Mark Schnyder, NBC 5 News

Dallas Police have launched a new effort to help you pinpoint crime down to your neighborhood.

New Way You Can Track Crime in Dallas

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Dallas Police have launched a new effort to help you pinpoint crime down to your neighborhood.

They've joined a national website called, raidsonline.com and people are already taking advantage of the free service. Click on this sentence for a link. 

Other police departments in North Texas that use the service include Coppell, Denton, Euless, Farmers Branch, Highland Village, Richland Hills, Stephenville and all of Collin County.

"I think it's interesting police are doing this to try to address concerns of the community," said Kathryn Hodgekinson of Dallas.   "It may be alarming to look at it and see the crimes in the area but also it would be interesting particularly to know if it were closer in my neighborhood."

Dallas spent a couple of months testing the site before launching it city wide this week. It even provides analysis showing what kind of crimes are happening in particular areas on specific days of the week.

"It's good to know what's going on in your area," said husband and father Damien Gordon. "So it'd be good to utilize on a regular basis to have access to see what's going on in your neighborhood and what you can expect and maybe places where you shouldn't be going, could be helpful I guess if you're looking to purchase a home as well."

Police said the more information they can get out to us the better it is for us. Most seem to agree, but not Janet Bilhartz who says she has no interest in the site or the app.

"I already try to be safe," said Bilhartz. "I lock my doors, I have an alarm system.  Why do I need to know that? What would I do?"

Maybe it's not for everyone, but several people downloaded the app to their smart phones as soon as we told them about it.

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Bullied Boy Dies in Hospital, Says Family

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Bullied Boy's Family Seeks Justice

The grandmother of 11-year-old Bailey O'Neill claims her grandson was beaten up by classmates at Darby Township School in January. He suffered a broken nose and began having seizures after the alleged incident. In order to control them, doctors put O'Neill in a medically-induced coma. No criminal charges have been brought against O'Neill's peers, but the family wants his classmates to be punished. NBC10's Lori Wilson reports on the investigation.

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A young boy who was the victim of bullying has died, according to his family. Bailey O'Neill, who turned 12 on Saturday, was in a coma after suffering several seizures. His family told Katy Zachry, of NBC 10 Philadelphia, that he died at the hospital on Sunday. 

Bailey's family says he was jumped by two classmates during recess at Darby Township School, about 6 miles southwest of Philadelphia, last January and suffered a concussion as well as a broken nose as a result.  He then began to suffer seizures the next day, forcing doctors to put him into a medically induced coma. Joy Fecanin, the boy's grandmother, told the local NBC affiliate that he had to have a blood transfusion after getting pneumonia.

On Sunday, the following message was posted on the Building Hope for Bailey Facebook Page:

I would like to thank everyone who has prayed and supported Bailey and his family!! Bailey has been the strongest toughest boy I know. He has fought this battle long and hard. There just wasn't a way to fix this. I wish I could say he will get better but I can't. Bailey has gone to be with God today :( I love you Jina Risoldi with all my heart and I will help you through this. Bailey I love you!!! Please keep Baileys family in your prayers!!!

While the students who jumped Bailey were suspended for two days, police have not yet revealed whether they will be criminally charged.

"I would like to see these kids punished," said Fecanin when she spoke to Zachry last month. "Something has to be done. I don't know what's taking them so long."

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan says investigators are trying to determine if the injuries Bailey received in the fight caused his seizures. Investigators interviewed kids and recess aides who were on the playground when the fight broke out.

"We can assure them that we are going to continue with our investigation," said Whelan.

Bailey's younger brother was taken out of the school because his parents were worried that he'd also be the victim of bullying.
 

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Hundreds Pay Tribute To Van Cliburn

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The Sunday service for Van Cliburn was filled with beautiful music and beautiful words from those who knew him the best.

"Over these past two decades, God blessed me by having the privilege of knowing the kindest, most humble and extraordinary, brilliant man," said Thomas L. Smith, Van Cliburn's friend of long standing. "Those years were filled with great joy."

"Van's death is a crater-sized void that is felt around the world, but for me it is the loss of my soul mate, the deepest friendship," Smith said.

Pianist Van Cliburn Dead at Age 78

World-renowned pianist Van Cliburn, who was diagnosed with advanced bone cancer in August, died today at the age of 78.

"The Texan Who Conquered Russia," Van Cliburn Dies at 78

Van Cliburn, called "The Texan Who Conquered Russia" by Time Magazine, dies at age 78.

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Nearly 1400 people packed the Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth to hear music from the Fort Worth symphony and tributes from dignitaries. Van Cliburn died Wednesday at the age of 78. He was diagnosed with advanced bone cancer in August.  

The Kilgore, Texas native is best remembered for winning the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958, at the height of the Cold War.

For years, Van Cliburn played the piano and won over so many with his music. Today, the music was for him...and so were the heartfelt words and praise.

"He was gracious and  humble, beloved even by the enemy," said former President George W. Bush.

Van Cliburn played for every President since Harry Truman.

"I know that I was blessed to have befriended this remarkable man and I know Van did his part to spread peace and love," President Bush said.

The president also spoke about Cliburn's achievement in Russia.

"The definition of a diplomat is a person with a temperament marked by tact in dealing with sensitive matters," President Bush said. "Nothing was more sensitive than two superpowers armed with thousands of warheads aimed at each other. Nobody was more tactful than Van Cliburn."

That though was echoed by many.

"In his world, making music wasn't just something he did at the piano, it was something he did to the world around him," Texas Governor Rick Perry said.

"I think the thing that horrified Van the most was envy, made so much sense because in a way, envy is an antonym of generosity, and no one ever showed more generosity than Van," said Sid Bass.

Jose Feghali won the gold medal in Van Cliburn's 7th competition. He remembers knowing about the legendary pianist from a young age.

"My earliest memories of Van were through his playing because my mother had several of his recordings," said Feghali.

As emotional and heartfelt as his tribute was, President George W. Bush was able to sneak in a light joke, when remembering a fond memory.

"On April 11 1994, Van Cliburn helped open the Ballpark in Arlington by playing the Star Spangled Banner" with a smile, President Bush added, "few remember that the home team lost to Milwaukee 4-3."

Among those in the pews were former Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief.

"Van was a good friend of Rosie's and mine," said Moncrief. "And while many knew him as an outstanding world renowned concert pianist, to us he was just 'Van'."

"He was such a giving, kind, compassionate individual that we will miss a great deal," said Moncrief.

NBC 5 Entertainment Reporter Bobbie Wygant interviewed Van Cliburn.

"I wanted to come for, out of respect and love for Van and also I knew that it would be a memorable service," said Wygant.

"I don't see anybody who will fill the void, completely, because he was the total package."

Others Remember Van Cliburn

Here is a sampling of memorial messages posted online after news of Cliburn's passing began to circulate around North Texas and the world.

"This week, we mark the passing of Van Cliburn, one of the most talented pianists of the last century and a musical artist of rare distinction. At the young age of 23, Mr. Cliburn swept the world off its feet with his winning performance at the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, and he quickly became a beloved ambassador of American culture around the world - especially in the former Soviet Union. His music transcended the challenges of international politics and contributed to an unlikely thaw in Cold War relations. He was truly a man of his moment. Like every President since Harry Truman, I enjoyed the privilege of hearing Mr. Cliburn play, and I am confident that the enduring beauty of his art will sustain his legendary status for years to come. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Mr. Cliburn's loved ones." - President Barack Obama

"Van Cliburn lived an extraordinary life and was a true man of his times. His prodigious gifts at the piano are legendary, and his storied accomplishment at the Tchaikovsky Piano Competition helped bring the world closer together. His larger-than-life talent helped transcend discourse and reminded us that we are, at the core of our being, all human beings who love works of beauty. On a personal note, Anita and I will miss him tremendously.  We were blessed to call Van Cliburn a close friend.  He was an incredibly thoughtful person and his love of life was contagious to anyone in his company. Anita and I send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans during this difficult time."  - Texas Gov. Rick Perry

"Everybody is just devastated by it. He's in a much better place now. Van was one of the greatest ambassadors for Fort Worth that ever has been. He's single-handedly thrust us into the the international spotlight with his piano playing and then the Van Cliburn competition. It brings people from all over the world ... We will sorely miss Van. His energy. His enthusiasm. His talent just  brought a world of light to Fort Worth ... I just remember Van not only for his playing but also his personality. I saw him about 8 weeks ago and he was in the car and he could barely hop out,
but he hopped out and hugged my neck. He was always so energetic and so warm and caring and if you knew Van, you couldn't help but love the man that he was." - Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price.

Read additional messages of in this story: Remembering Van Cliburn

Previous Coverage:

Editor's Note: Memorial organizers have asked the media to refer to Thomas L. Smith only as Van Cliburn's "friend of long standing."

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Door-to-Door Salesman Saves Woman From Fire

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A door-to-door salesman selling home fire alarms noticed smoke coming from a Garland home, heard a woman screaming and broke a window to rescue her.

Kaeriel Evans, 18, who has Down syndrome, was inside by herself when the blaze started in the 1600 block of Homestead Place at about 6 p.m.

"I heard this lady yelling, 'Help, help,'" said Corey Anderson, of Rowlett. "I looked down and saw the smoke so I took off running, and -- reaction -- I just started kicking in the windows."

He tried to find her but couldn't at first.

"As far as I went in, I couldn't see nothing," Anderson said. "It was just smoke."

Then, he heard her voice again.

"I heard somebody say, 'Help me, help me,' so I pushed over an entertainment center and kind of went in there and saw the girl and I told her, 'Drop down and come to me.' And she did. And I got her out."

Anderson sells home security systems that include fire alarms, he said. He hadn't yet made it to her house when he saw the smoke and flames.

Evans was transported to Parkland Memorial Hospital with smoke inhalation and minor burns but was expected to recover.

Soon, Evans' brother arrived home.

"When I saw the house burned up, that's the first thing I asked about -- where is my sister?" Kavaucey Lewis said.

Lewis, 20, said he lives in the house with five siblings and their mother.

He quickly learned about her rescue and thanked Anderson.

"I just told him how much I appreciate it because my sister is my heart," he said.

Anderson was humble about what he had done.

"I'm glad I was here and could help," he said. "I really do wish if that was my family, somebody would do the same thing."

Lewis said he couldn't thank Anderson enough.

"He went in there and, you know, he's a hero," he said. "He went above and beyond."

Anderson said the word "hero" doesn't fit.

"I don't feel like a hero," he said. "I just feel like, I mean, it was reaction. At the time, I just went with my instincts."

Firefighters are investigating how the fire started.

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Red Cross Holds Massive Drill In North Texas

NBC 5

American Red Cross volunteers and vans respond to a Dallas street during a two-state emergency exercise.

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If you saw an American Red Cross mobile van in your neighborhood Saturday, you were not alone.

The agency held a huge drill to help prepare for the upcoming severe weather season.

More than 700 volunteers in 40 locations across Texas and Oklahoma participated in the disaster assessment. Locations in North Texas included Dallas, Arlington and McKinney.

Actors played the part of homeowners following a tornado outbreak.  Teams responded to check out damage and tend to victims.

Organizers said the large scale exercise will help them get ready for the real thing.

"We've done this at a state level before," said T.D. Smyers of the American Red Cross. "But this is the first one that's been simultaneous across this many areas. We think that's a realistic way to approach it... to get everybody ready and to raise awareness of the public."

On April 3, 2012, a tornado outbreak produced 17 tornadoes throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area. No one was killed but more than 1100 homes were damaged or destroyed.

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Fire Cancels Saturday Night Ballet At Bass Hall

Chris Van Horne, NBC 5 Fort Worth Reporter

Saturday night Texas Ballet Theater performance canceled; Sunday show scheduled to go on.

Fire Cancels Ballet At Bass Hall

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Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth's Sundance Square was evacuated when fire alarms went off just after 6:00 p.m. Saturday.

NBC 5 Fort Worth reporter Chris Van Horne said there was a noticeable burning smell as he arrived at Bass Hall.

Workers and dancers were evacuated and stood across the street waiting for word on what happened.

Bass Hall representatives said there was a small electrical fire. However, the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

A curtain caught fire and according to the Fort Worth Fire Department, stage hands used fire extinguishers until firefighters arrived and used hand extinguishers to put out the fire.

There was no major damage.

Texas Ballet Theater was scheduled to perform Val Caniparoli's Lambarena and Glen Tetly's Voluntaries at 8:00 p.m. The fire department ruled that the show would not go on.

The fire department and Bass Hall will continue with clean up Saturday night, but Hall officials expected shows to resume on Sunday.

Dione Kennedy, President & CEO of Performing Arts Fort Worth issued the following statement:

"Tonight's Texas Ballet Theater performance has been canceled due to a small fire. A curtain above the stage caught fire late this afternoon between performances. No patrons were in the building at the time. The fire was quickly contained by the Fort Worth Fire Department and there was no structural damage to the Hall. We are working closely with the fire department to determine the cause of the fire. Texas Ballet Theater's Sunday performance is still scheduled for 2pm. Please contact Texas Ballet Theater's box office for more information."
 

Fort Worth fire crews spent most of their time clearing the hall of smoke. Fire spokesman Battalion Chief Richard Harrison says the fire was put out quickly.

"Units arrived on scene, they made entry and they found security crews were attempting to extinguish a curtain fire that was on the stage," Harrison said. "They were using portable extinguishers. The fire department went on and used red line, a smaller diameter hand line to extinguish the fire."

There were a few customers going to the box office at the time the alarms went off. Matt Willison said the evacuation of the building was handled calmly.

"The alarm just started going off right away," Willison said. "Nobody really panicked, they just went 'everybody across the street.'"

Long time volunteer workers said they couldn't recall experiencing any fire or cancellation like this before. Bass Performance Hall opened in Sundance Square in 1998.

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Maintenance Worker Reunited with the Toddler He Saved

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A California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) maintenance worker who  helped save a toddler's life  earlier this week was reunited with the happy, healthy baby boy and his very grateful family on Friday, according to NBC San Diego.

 

On Monday, Caltrans worker Joe Thomas was traveling when he noticed two women in distress on the side of the road, crying and waving for help.

The women, mother Denise Ortiz and grandmother Rebecca Hill, told Thomas their 13-month-old baby, Cesar Ortiz, wasn't breathing and needed immediate medical attention.

Thomas called 911, grabbed the child from Hill's hands and proceeded to render first-aid and CPR on the spot, saving the tot's life.

Hill says the family was driving on a freeway when baby Cesar suddenly began crying and shaking. After that, the baby's eyes rolled to the back of his head and he stopped breathing.

By the time Thomas pulled over and got to Cesar, Thomas says the boy was not breathing and had turned blue.

Thomas says he immediately began compressions on the baby's chest and back and then administered CPR. Eventually, Cesar began gasping for air and was able to breathe on his own again.

Emergency crews arrived shortly thereafter and transported the revived toddler to the hospital. He was released that same day and is now doing well.

Ortiz and Hill say they're extremely thankful to Thomas for saving Cesar's life.

Thomas says he just wanted the little boy to be okay and did what he had to do.

"I didn't think about it, I just did it," said Thomas.

All three believe Thomas was at the right place at the right time.

Normally, Thomas said he doesn't travel along the road he was driving on for work, but that day something just told him to drive that way.

"I just think God led me that way that day. God just used me," he added.

Thomas, who's worked for Caltrans for the past 15 years and has four children of his own, says he learned his CPR skills from training seminars held by his company.

Thomas says he receives CPR training through Caltrans every three years, but this was the first time he's ever had to use those skills. He urges everyone to become trained in CPR as a precaution.

After this scary incident, both Ortiz and Hill say they plan to take CPR classes.

"I was scared; I've never been through this before," said Ortiz. "I have to take a CPR class now, just in case."

Happy ending and all, the story of Thomas, baby Cesar and family doesn't end here.

They all say they plan to stay in touch for many years to come.

"We're in a long term relationship now – I'm bringing them into my family," said Thomas.

At Friday's heartfelt reunion, baby Cesar was full of energy -- walking, laughing, talking and playing like a healthy, bouncy, baby boy. He hugged the man who saved him and giggled when Thomas put a white Caltrans hard-hat on his little head.

As for Caltrans, well, they're pretty proud of Thomas' quick-thinking and compassion on the job.

The company   thanked their heroic worker on Twitter this week, posting : "Great job Joe!"

 

Great job, indeed.

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President Bush To Eulogize Van Cliburn

Chris Van Horne, NBC 5 Fort Worth Reporter

Former President George W. Bush and Governor Rick Perry will deliver remarks at Sunday's memorial service for Van Cliburn.

President Bush To Eulogize Van Cliburn

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Van Cliburn's Legacy Lives on in Piano Competition

Van Cliburn's musical genius will continue to inspire future generations of classical pianists in the competition named after the Texan, the Cliburn International Piano Competition.

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President George W. Bush is among the dignitaries who will pay tribute to pianist Van Cliburn at his memorial service on Sunday.

In 2003, Bush presented Van Cliburn The Presidential Medal of Freedom. He also received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award that year. President Barack Obama honored Cliburn with the National Medal of Arts in 2010.

Cliburn died Wednesday at 78 after fighting bone cancer. He had played for every American president since Harry Truman, plus royalty and heads of state around the world.

He is best remembered for winning the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958, at the height of the Cold War.

According to the memorial service program, Van Cliburn's friend of long standing Thomas Smith, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Joseph W. Polisi, president of The Juilliard School will also pay tribute to Van Cliburn. Van Cliburn studied at Juilliard after graduating from Kilgore High School in Texas.

Family spokesman Tom Stoker says a funeral is scheduled for 3:00-5:00 p.m. Sunday at the Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, where Cliburn worshiped for decades. Entombment at the mausoleum at Greenwood Memorial Park will follow.
 

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