The Super Nats and Tragedy

Sunday morning, June 21, at approximately 1 a.m., the Super Nats fun stopped for a Salem, Ohio, man, Richard Farkas, 30. Richard Farkas died of injuries sustained after being hit by an Amtrak Train under the State Street Bridge in Salem.

The Salem News reports that "Farkas and two other men had left the Circle K on West State Street and all three of them were walking across the tracks. The other two kept walking, but Farkas stayed put on the tracks and faced the oncoming train."

I myself have walked across these tracks several times in the early am to and from work, working the midnight shift. There would be no reason this man should have been stopped on them, as there is nothing to restrict passing. Trains are visible to see and hear atleast half a mile each direction.

Many rumors started spreading, only hours after the accident occurred. There were rumors that suggested foul play in the train accident Sunday night, but it had not been clear as to the real reason a young man came to such a tragic accident. It was also rumored that a golf club was found near the scene, and that there was a mark on Richard's forehead. Also, a game of chicken was reported by residents. There were no other reports, and residents were left to the assumption that Richard Farkas did this to himself. The question remained if this was somehow foul play, or a few drunk men that fell into bad luck. It had not been stated in any article or any press release up until todayy, that there was any alcohol involved in the acccident, but it was evident that it was in the early morning, and many people had been celebrating at Super Nats after party. An updated press release by the Salem Police Department today, June 26th, has ruled this an accidental death, and alcohol did "play a large part" in the accident

Friday, June 19th, started the first night of the Super Nats After Party, Sponsored by Stadium GM and Terry's Tire Town and planned to run until Sunday night. It was plain to see the excitement throughout Friday morning and early afternoon, while vendors and stores set up for their entertainment and venue on State and Pershing Street in downtown Salem, Ohio. Visitors hoped for a rainless afternoon and evening, so that they could enjoy all that the Super Nats had to offer. It seemed as if all was going well, with the streets blocked off, the vendors set up, food concessions all around town, you could hear the band playing till about one in the morning Friday night.

Although these incidents were not specific to the Super Nats after party, it still puts a damper on a great family weekend. Just knowing that a great time can turn into tragedy in such a short time, makes your fun time seem far less exciting when you know someone lost their life or was seriously injured in or around an event you attended.

As a patron of the Super Nats each year, this was and will be in the future, a great event for our town. Police Officers walking the streets throughout the events is excellent and the Crime Watch out too. We can only hope that these incidents were random, and do not affect any more events that may be in the future.

If you are interested in any updates to this article, please visit www.Salemnews.net or www.morningjournalnews.com.

Sources:

Staff Reports, www.salemnews.net, The Salem News