Bicyclist killed by Blue Line train had been injured before at same station

The bicyclist struck and killed Friday morning by a Blue Line train near a busy south Minneapolis intersection was injured at that same station a few months before and had warned others on social media about staying alert.

Jason M. McCormick, 29, of Minneapolis, posted a message on his Facebook page on Aug. 15 assuring family and friends that he had walked away from a light-rail collision with only minor injuries.

"I survived and broke nothing," McCormick wrote of the incident, which also happened while he was biking. "Just a concussion, some scrapes and muscle soreness. … Stay alert people, look both ways before crossing train tracks and wear a helmet!"

On Friday, McCormick was struck and killed at that very same station, at 46th Street and Hiawatha Avenue. He died of multiple blunt-force injuries at Hennepin County Medical Center after being extricated by firefighters from beneath the train, the Hennepin County medical examiner said Saturday. His death was ruled an accident.

Around 6:40 a.m. Friday, McCormick was headed south on a bike path that parallels the Blue Line, which runs along Hiawatha Avenue, when he turned onto the tracks at 46th Street and was hit by a southbound train that had just pulled away from the platform, Metro Transit spokesman Howie Padilla said.

Initial reports indicate that he ignored warning signals, which included flashing lights, ringing bells and a crossing arm, Padilla said.

McCormick's death was the second light-rail fatality in two days and the third such incident in a week.

On Thursday, a pedestrian was hit and killed by a Green Line train near University and Hamline avenues in St. Paul. Last Friday, a 25-year-old man was hit near Snelling and University Avenues. He remains hospitalized at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

Metro Transit released this statement: "In light of three unfortunate incidents … in the last week, we want to express our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of those most affected. As we wait for the final details of these investigations to surface, we are reminded to take a moment and embrace the loved ones which guide our daily work and activities. May they and our care for them help to guide all of us in our daily actions."

Liz Sawyer • 612-673-4648