Student from Navasota killed by train while taking photos
Mar 11, 2017
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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This Friday, a terrible accident happened because of a reckless photo shoot. A 19-year-old Blinn student and photographer was killed by a train while taking photos in Navasota, Texas. Fredzania Thompson was shooting along the train tracks when she was hit by a Union Pacific train.
The accident happened on the train tracks near Hollister and Lee Street. It seems that Fredzania stepped into the path of the train, but the investigators are unable to determine the reason of this.
According to witnesses, she was given CPR until the emergency crew arrived at the scene of the accident. The girl was taken to a hospital, but she passed away from the injuries.
Unfortunately, we hear this kind of news from time to time, and it seems it’s getting more and more common. People get killed because of selfies and photo shoots, or they even kill others. Photographers would do anything for a shot, even if it means putting themselves and others in danger.
Now, I wouldn’t like anyone to get rude, call this girl names and things like that. Trains are fast, and a split second of carelessness is enough for a fatal accident.
Instead of getting judgmental, would like to remind you that your safety should come before everything else. I know people want to take good shots and they are ready to risk a lot for it. I even understand the adrenaline that drives you towards doing reckless things. And yes, photos along the train tracks can be amazing. But please, if you make these photos, don’t do them in the train path. At least find abandoned train tracks to make sure you aren’t risking yours and/or your model’s life. After all, in my opinion, the abandoned tracks even look more interesting.
[Via KBTX]
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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15 responses to “Student from Navasota killed by train while taking photos”
At the very least, bring along an assistant or spotter to watch for trains while you shoot.
It is illegal to shoot on tracks so why would you bring an assistant? Illegal is illegal. Many of these wanna be photographers shoot on tracks not knowing the legal side. Never mind how dangerous it is.
I’m not disagreeing with you. But many are going to do it regardless. I’m just saying if you are going to do something stupid at least do it smart. Lol. ;-)
Stay the f**k off the tracks. BNSF has a minimum 50 foot easement on either side of the tracks. Anything inside that is trespassing. If I see somebody out there I will snap a few telephoto shots of my own and call the rail cops.
It is illegal to shoot on tracks. End of story.
It is even illegal to shoot on abandoned tracks.
I led a photowalk in Navasota Texas about two months ago. Several photographers got cranky because I kept telling people to get off the tracks. A train coming at you at 50mph doesn’t seem like it’s going too fast, until it’s too close to get away.
In Iowa BNSF runs at 65 or 70 and I can drive on the highway next to them and measure the speed. Every year we get at least several people made into train pizzas.
Why do you need to measure their speed?
Obviously being illegal means nothing. People just need to realize some ish just isn’t worth the risk. Illegal or not
The irony of leading this article with a photograph of a train taken close to the tracks seems to have passed everybody by…
The photographer needs to be prosecuted for trespassing and negligent homicide. He also better have his business insurance paid up or he is going to spend the rest of life life paying off the lawsuit settlement.
it seems the girl that died was the photographer… accordingly the badly written article isn’t particular clear
From the primary sources, I understood that the girl was the photographer. The later sources indicated that she was a model after all. But in any case, this is a huge tragedy, and from which ever side of the lens someone is – they should stay off the tracks!
The irony.