Man hit and killed by train, authorities say

June 12, 2009 11:13 pm

— A 34-year-old Alderson man died of injuries sustained when he was hit by a coal train early Friday morning. Authorities did not release his name.
Cpl. J. M. Bennett of the Alderson Police Department investigated the incident, which took place in town at the intersection of South Monroe Street and Railroad Avenue.
“I had just gotten off duty when the call came in from the 911 center,” Bennett said. “I arrived on scene about 10 minutes later and found EMS was already there. They pronounced the man dead at the scene.”
The CSX coal train that hit the man was bound from Hinton to Clifton Forge, Va., according to Bennett.
“I spoke with the conductor and the engineer,” the officer said. “They said as they approached the intersection they saw (the victim) standing next to the tracks. As the train got closer, he stepped onto the tracks, raised his arms and looked right at them.
“They went into emergency mode and put on the brakes, but the train was only about 15 feet from the man at that point and it hit him.”
Bennett concluded, “It was suicide by train.”
On the scene for three hours, Bennett was assisted in the investigation by Alderson Police Chief D.J. Hinkley, State Police Sgt. T.L. Bragg and Inspector Mark Dunbar of the state Alcohol Beverage Control Administration. Bennett said Dunbar was called in because he had earlier dealings with the victim.
The investigation continues, but Bennett said he does not anticipate any charges will be lodged against the operators of the train.
— Tina Alvey