WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	10-year-old survivor of train accident dies (Bridgeport-WTNH) _ The 10-year old sole survivor of a train accident in Fairfield has been declared brain dead. Jose Francisco Urgiles Toledo, his three brothers, and his mother were hit by an Amtrak train early Tuesday morning. The others died at the scene. Jose lost a leg in the accident and has been in extremely critical condition ever since. He is now being kept on life-support. News Channel 8's Christina Hager explains why. Doctors declared Jose Toledo dead at 1:30 in the afternoon. Life-support machines are still keeping his heart pumping, he does still have a pulse, but he is brain dead, and his family has signed a consent form to have his organs removed for transplant. Dr. Nabil Atweh, Bridgeport Hospital: "His heart and lungs and kidneys seem to be functioning appropriately, although for all legal purposes we consider him dead." Julia Toledo and her four boys were walking along the tracks in Fairfield at 2:00 am when the train came from behind and hit them. The 46 year old woman and three of her sons, ages 3, 6, and 12, were killed instantly. But Jose Toledo survived for two days, his leg cut off, his head crushed. After two surgeries doctors declared him dead and are now prepping him for organ donation. Dr. Atweh: "They would like to see something good happen after this tragedy." Now those who knew the family are trying to figure out where the group was headed that morning, and why. Bridgeport police officer George Reyes says Julia Toledo, who had been living in a Bridgeport shelter, was afraid of being deported to her native Ecuador. Officer George Reyes, Bridgeport Police Dept.: "She had talked to someone and had mention that she was afraid of probably losing her children or something like that." Officer Reyes worked with one of the boys at his school's D.A.R.E. program. Officer Reyes: "All the kids; I don't remember them not smiling, or being in a bad mood." Doctors hope to begin harvesting the organs tonight. The boy's father is working on getting a visa to come to Bridgeport from Ecuador. he is expected to arrive Friday or possibly Saturday. The family is planning to hold a funeral Monday. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

10-year-old survivor of train accident dies
(Bridgeport-WTNH) _ The 10-year old sole survivor of a train accident in Fairfield has been declared brain dead. Jose Francisco Urgiles Toledo, his three brothers, and his mother were hit by an Amtrak train early Tuesday morning. The others died at the scene. Jose lost a leg in the accident and has been in extremely critical condition ever since. He is now being kept on life-support.
News Channel 8's Christina Hager explains why.

Jose Toledo Doctors declared Jose Toledo dead at 1:30 in the afternoon. Life-support machines are still keeping his heart pumping, he does still have a pulse, but he is brain dead, and his family has signed a consent form to have his organs removed for transplant.

Dr. Nabil Atweh, Bridgeport Hospital: "His heart and lungs and kidneys seem to be functioning appropriately, although for all legal purposes we consider him dead."

Julia Toledo and her four boys were walking along the tracks in Fairfield at 2:00 am when the train came from behind and hit them. The 46 year old woman and three of her sons, ages 3, 6, and 12, were killed instantly.

But Jose Toledo survived for two days, his leg cut off, his head crushed. After two surgeries doctors declared him dead and are now prepping him for organ donation.

Dr. Atweh: "They would like to see something good happen after this tragedy."

Now those who knew the family are trying to figure out where the group was headed that morning, and why. Bridgeport police officer George Reyes says Julia Toledo, who had been living in a Bridgeport shelter, was afraid of being deported to her native Ecuador.

Officer George Reyes, Bridgeport Police Dept.: "She had talked to someone and had mention that she was afraid of probably losing her children or something like that."

Officer Reyes worked with one of the boys at his school's D.A.R.E. program.

Officer Reyes: "All the kids; I don't remember them not smiling, or being in a bad mood."

Doctors hope to begin harvesting the organs tonight. The boy's father is working on getting a visa to come to Bridgeport from Ecuador. he is expected to arrive Friday or possibly Saturday. The family is planning to hold a funeral Monday.

Today's News Page.

WTNH Home Page.