Recent train deaths raise total for year to 11, highest in decade

Star Tribune

Last update: October 22, 2009 - 9:40 PM

When two people were killed by trains in Minnesota this week, it brought the number of such fatalities to 11 so far this year, the highest number in a decade.

The deaths prompted state transportation officials to issue a safety alert Thursday, warning Minnesotans to "pay increased attention to the danger of walking on or near railroad tracks."

In 2008, five people were killed by trains statewide.

Officials highlighted this week's deaths: A 51-year-old man was killed early Monday morning near Winona State University when he fell into the path of an oncoming train; the next evening, a 24-year-old man was struck and killed by a freight train at a railroad crossing west of Litchfield.

In that case, the train sounded its whistle repeatedly, but the man may have been wearing headphones.

Department officials pointed out that a 2008 law makes it illegal to walk on tracks. They also said that fewer than one-third of the 4,362 railroad crossings in the state have warning devices.

BOB VON STERNBERG

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