A freight train struck and killed a pedestrian in Coon Rapids early Sunday afternoon, authorities said.

The incident occurred about 1:30 p.m. and involved a BNSF train heading northwest, according to police.

The train hit the pedestrian — a 31-year-old Coon Rapids man — about a quarter-mile northwest of where the tracks cross Hanson Boulevard, police added. His identity was not immediatley released.

"Train traffic on both main tracks has been halted while [emergency] personnel are responding," BNSF spokeswoman Amy McBeth said about an hour after the pedestrian was hit.

The pedestrian was not at a designated crossing when struck, McBeth added.

Paul Walsh