Watkins man seeking a perfect photograph killed by train

A Watkins, Minn., man was on the tracks with his new camera and didn't hear his wife's warnings, police said.

By Richard Meryhew, Star Tribune

Last update: February 1, 2006 - 9:50 PM

The prairie sky was filled with snowflakes, and Guy Thompson had a new camera.

So in the wee hours of a picturesque Wednesday morning, Thompson walked out of his house near the railroad tracks in Watkins, Minn., to snap a few pictures.

"He had made a comment to his wife that it was really cool seeing the snow on the trees," Meeker County Chief Deputy Jeff Norlin said, "and he wanted to photograph that."

Thompson's attempt to capture the perfect winter scene turned tragic. While taking photographs from the railroad tracks near his house, the 33-year-old construction worker was struck by a passing train and killed.

The accident happened as Thompson's wife, Jennifer, hollered to him to get out of the way, Norlin said.

"He was on his knees at one point, and she hollered out to him that the train was getting a little too close," Norlin said. "He stood up and that was when he was struck."

Watkins Police Chief Jason Elmore said the accident occurred about 1:15 a.m. as a Canadian Pacific Railway freight train was traveling from Glenwood, Minn., to Chicago.

The accident occurred a few blocks from downtown Watkins, a city of 900 residents about 65 miles west of Minneapolis.

Elmore said the train dragged Thompson for a short distance. He said the train's engineer called rescue workers. There was no evidence that drugs or alcohol were factors in the accident, Elmore said, adding that the case remains under investigation.

"He just got the camera during Christmas or right before Christmas," Elmore said. "He loved the camera. And he loved taking pictures out of it."

In 2004, the last year statistics were available, four people died in Minnesota after being hit by trains while walking on railroad tracks, said Erin Petersen, state coordinator for Minnesota Operation Lifesaver, a train safety group.

"People will use the tracks to hunt or follow the tracks to get to a fishing spot," she said. "There's a very romantic feel to the railroad. But staying off the tracks is key. Trains are moving much faster than it appears. And sometimes, people are so focused on what they are doing ... they are just not paying attention."

Richard Meryhew • 612-673-4425

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