PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Six people were killed in an Amtrak train derailment Tuesday night in Philadelphia. One victim was an Associated Press employee. Another was a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy. The others have not yet been publicly identified.
JIM GAINES
Jim Gaines, an Associated Press video software architect, was a geek’s geek — and his colleagues loved him for it.
The 48-year-old father of two was named the news agency’s “Geek of the Month” in May 2012 for his “tireless dedication and contagious passion” to technological innovation.
“At AP, not a frame goes by in the world of video that escapes the passionate scrutiny of video architect Jim Gaines,” the award said.
Gaines was headed home Tuesday to Plainsboro, New Jersey, after meetings at the news agency’s Washington, D.C., office. His wife, Jacqueline, confirmed his death.
Gaines joined the AP in 1998 and was a key factor in nearly all of the news agency’s video initiatives, including the success rollout of high-definition video and the AP’s Video Hub — a service that provides live video to hundreds of clients around the world.
In 2006, Gaines’ team won the Chairman’s Prize in 2006 for development of the agency’s Online Video Network.
Gaines “leaves behind a legacy of professionalism and critical accomplishment, kindness and humor,” AP President and CEO Gary Pruitt told employees in an email. “He will be missed.”
He is also survived by a 16-year-old son, Oliver, and an 11-year-old daughter, Anushka.
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U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY MIDSHIPMAN
The academy in Annapolis, Maryland said a midshipman on leave and on the way home was among the victims. The school did not provide a name, age or hometown.
It said it was withholding the midshipman’s identity for 24 hours following the notification of next of kin.
The school notified the brigade of midshipmen, staff and faculty on Wednesday morning.
The academy said it was supporting the midshipman’s family, friends, and loved ones and providing grief counseling to midshipmen, faculty and staff.
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