Just a moment ago I received an alert from New Jersey Transit, my commuter train service provider. They alerted me with the following message:
Northeast Corridor service is temporarily suspended in both directions between Metropark and New Brunswick due to a trespasser incident.
So what is a "trespasser incident"? Sadly, it is when a pedestrian, intentionally or unintentionally, is on the train track at the wrong time, and gets hit by a train.
Does anyone else find this wording offensive?
Yes. I'm sure the intention is delicacy and brevity, but it comes across as a callous trivialization.
Pete
Oops. Lost an r.
Peter
I think the best, realistic alternative stops after "New Brunswick." In our litigious society, how the company refers to the death can have legal implications, so the safest route is to not give anything away, ever. If you want any sort of an explanation, this is the best the lawyers will let you have. Then again, if you're stuck at Metropark, you might want to look into getting a good attorney.