Dead Metroline engineer remembered on 'Net

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Teen rail enthusiasts are using the Internet to express grief for the Los Angeles Metrolink engineer who befriended them and died in a deadly train wreck.

Users of the social Internet site YouTube posted tributes to Robert Sanchez, the engineer on the Metroline train that slammed into an oncoming freight train a week ago and who was among the 25 people who died, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

"We will never forget you. Let your warm-hearted soul RIP," read one tribute.

Earlier this week, investigators announced that Sanchez's cell phone records indicated he had been text-messaging on duty the day of the crash, the Times said. A group of railroad enthusiasts, some of whom thought of Sanchez as a mentor, is thought to have been the recipients, the newspaper said.

The teens said they believe factors other than text-messaging contributed to the crash, and were taken aback by the television report of text-messaging and subsequent negative outcry, said Mark Speer, father of one of the rail fans.

"It's just devastating," Speer said.