A Northstar train hit and killed a pedestrian on the tracks in Elk River just before 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, prompting authorities to shut down trains going both ways and temporarily close the tracks.

The man was walking in a nondesignated area when hit, said Drew Kerr, a Metro Transit spokesman.

Police scanner transmissions indicate the location was along Main Street, near the city's recycling plant.

"Customers on board the train involved in the collision were transferred to the fifth and final outbound Northstar trip within an hour of the collision," Kerr said in a news release.

"The Northstar Link commuter bus that provides service from Big Lake to St. Cloud held at Big Lake Station to serve late-arriving passengers. No injuries were reported on the train."

No information was available yet on the man's identity or why he was on the tracks.

Joy Powell