Court Opinion

ID: 9858420
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 16:23:17.209142+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:54:16.760246
License: Public Domain

FRASER, Justice.
I concur in the disposition of this case .because it seems clear that the jury findings when viewed as a cumulative whole are in effect not in conflict. Fairly analyzed and without reading anything into the answers or the issues, the jury apparently found that the train operators did not continuously sound warning devices on the way to this crossing, but that after discovering Flanigan’s position of peril they had a right to assume he would and could extricate himself. Further, it then became clear to the train operators that Flanigan was not going to extricate himself and they did not fail to take immediately available steps to avert or mitigate the accident.
The doctrine seems well established that where one is discovered some distance ahead of the train and a timely warning is given, those in charge of the train can presume that such a person is in full possession of all his faculties and will place himself beyond the reach of danger, and the operators of the train are not bound to stop or check -the train unless , and until the circumstances make' it apparent that the person is unaware of its approach or . unable to extricate, himself. Sisti v. Thompson, 149 Tex. 189, 229 S.W.2d 610; 22 R.C.L., Sec. 198, p. 964; 30 Tex.Jur. ¶ 37, p. 688; Horwitz v. Jefferson County Traction Co., Tex.Civ.App., 188 S.W. 26 (er.ref.).