Pittsfield Railroad Track Fatality
Pittsfield - A late night train accident claimed a life after a CSX train struck an individual walking along railroad tracks in the vicinity of Francis Avenue.The collision occurred at about 11 p.m. April 29.
Pittsfield police declined any comment on the incident when contacted this morning. Officials at the Federal Railroad Administration in Washington, D.C. confirmed that a fatality did occur. The incident may be classified with the federal agency as a "trespassing" or "pedestrian" incident, depending on the outcome of an investigation.
"From what we understand, [the incident] involved an individual that was struck while walking," said FRA Department of Public Affairs spokesman Warren Flateau. "There was no derailment of any kind that we are aware of. These incidents are very unfortunate."
City police and city firefighters responded to the scene last night. The identity of the victim had not been released as of early afternoon.
The individual's precise location at the time of the incident will play a role in the investigation, Flateau said.
Neighbors reportedly heard a loud shrieking sound just before the victim was struck. Those in the area believe the train was trying to stop but was unable to avoid hitting the individual.
Flateau noted that the FRA is currently involved in railroad safety initiatives that include a trespass incident project, which seeks to identify any railroad trespassing trends as well as a detailed investigation into the number of people who intentionally put themselves in harm's way on railroad tracks.
