Passing train hits Stanwood man, 63
Published 10:50 pm Monday, January 7, 2008
STANWOOD — A Stanwood man who was crossing railroad tracks near downtown was hit by a fast-moving train Monday.
An Amtrak train struck the man, 63, just before 9:30 a.m. He suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken by helicopter to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. An update of his condition wasn’t available.
Witnesses told investigators the man ducked under the railroad crossing arms as the train approached near the 8600 block of 271st Street NW. He tried to run across the tracks and out of the way, Stanwood Police Chief David Bales said.
“We actually see this frequently when people are hit by trains,” Bales said. “They’re looking at them head-on and don’t realize how fast the train is going. They often underestimate the speed of the trains.”
Amtrak trains generally are travelling more than 50 mph when they come through town, Bales said. It was too early to say how fast the train was moving Monday.
It was carrying 49 passengers and was southbound from Bellingham to Portland, Ore. It was delayed about two hours while railroad officials and Snohomish County sheriff’s detectives investigated the crash.
Pedestrians and motorists should never walk or drive around lowered railroad crossing arms, Bales said.
