It’s dramatic. It’s exaggerated. It’s … Unstoppable.
No, I haven’t seen the movie Unstoppable, which is loosely based on a real-life close call when an unmanned runaway train in Ohio created a potentially life-threatening situation back in 2001. The train traveled nearly 70 miles at speeds approaching 50 mph before CSX Transportation Inc. employees were able to safely bring it to a stop.
In 2001, EHS Today reported on this runaway train incident. The nearly decade-old article has received quite a few hits since the movie Unstoppable was released Nov. 12 of this year. Again, I haven’t seen it (yet?) but the events have clearly been dramatized to a nearly unrecognizable extent, which is of course to be expected.
But it got me thinking: What other kinds of movies can be based off stories EHS Today has covered? Perhaps a dramatic re-enactment of a family of five struggling to eat healthily during the 6-hour car ride to Grandma’s? Or a documentary following Cirque du Soleil performers embarking on a new injury prevention program? How about a tension-filled drama surrounding OSHA's top 10 violations?
I think I'm on to something. Hollywood, I'll get in touch after the holidays.
Meanwhile, if you end up seeing Unstoppable – please, let us know how it is.