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Train Taunter Hit by Locomotive
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
An angry, wheelchair-bound Wisconsin man who enjoys flipping off freight trains may have to cut back on his hobby — one of the trains hit him.
Leland Laird, 54, was at his customary position, middle finger proudly aloft, next to the train tracks in Appleton at about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evening, reports the Appleton Post-Crescent.
That's when a Canadian National (search) engine's gas tank clipped Laird's wheelchair, sending him tumbling to the ground.
Laird, who suffered only mild cuts and abrasions, told police he was paralyzed by a train that hit his car in 1989 — but that wasn't the reason he liked shooting them the bird.
"He was upset by the horns," Appleton Police Lt. Pat Matuszewski told the newspaper. "He lives right near the intersection. That's his way of addressing the loud horns blowing."
Engineers and conductors are apparently used to seeing Laird's finger flag flying high and consider him a "regular."
The Canadian National train stopped after hitting Laird's chair while police responded. Laird was given a ticket for being a pedestrian in violation of traffic signals.
Cops suggested that Laird make his grievances known in a more polite manner.
"We'll put him in touch with the right people to make sure his concerns are heard," Matuszewski told the newspaper.
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
An angry, wheelchair-bound Wisconsin man who enjoys flipping off freight trains may have to cut back on his hobby — one of the trains hit him.
Leland Laird, 54, was at his customary position, middle finger proudly aloft, next to the train tracks in Appleton at about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evening, reports the Appleton Post-Crescent.
That's when a Canadian National (search) engine's gas tank clipped Laird's wheelchair, sending him tumbling to the ground.
Laird, who suffered only mild cuts and abrasions, told police he was paralyzed by a train that hit his car in 1989 — but that wasn't the reason he liked shooting them the bird.
"He was upset by the horns," Appleton Police Lt. Pat Matuszewski told the newspaper. "He lives right near the intersection. That's his way of addressing the loud horns blowing."
Engineers and conductors are apparently used to seeing Laird's finger flag flying high and consider him a "regular."
The Canadian National train stopped after hitting Laird's chair while police responded. Laird was given a ticket for being a pedestrian in violation of traffic signals.
Cops suggested that Laird make his grievances known in a more polite manner.
"We'll put him in touch with the right people to make sure his concerns are heard," Matuszewski told the newspaper.
Jim