Police Investigating Fatal Train Accident That Killed North Adams Man
Update: The District Attorney's Office confirmed on Wednesday that the victim of Tuesday's fatal train accident was Douglas Hawley, 41, of North Adams. Hawley's family posted a GoFundMe on Facebook late Tuesday to raise money for funeral expenses and his two children.
According to the post, Hawley "passed away unexpectedly in a freak accident" and that "everyone knows he was hit by a train crossing the tracks because he had a hearing problem never heard the train coming."
Family members had been at the scene of the accident and indicated their brother had died but did not give any further information.
Hawley apparently ran a lawn care business based on posts on his Facebook page.
The District Attorney's Office says the accident occurred about 11:25 a.m. and that Hawley was struck by an eastbound train traveling at a low speed. It is still under investigation.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Authorities are investigating a pedestrian/train accident in the city's downtown.
The incident occurred shortly before 11 a.m. and the southbound train is currently stopped behind the American Legion on American Legion Drive.
Officers on the scene could not comment but a blue tarp is covering the area below one of the train cars.
Police cars and a fire truck are at the scene, which is cordoned off with yellow tape. It was indicated that the train would be there for some time.
The tracks there are frequently crossed by pedestrians using it as a shortcut to State Street and Noel Field Athletic Complex.
This is the second train accident in that area. On June 5, Lynn Stanley, 41, was struck by a southbound train at approximately 5:10 a.m. trying to cross the tracks under the Hadley Overpass.
Tags: trains,
