According to WBTV, a pedestrian is dead in northeast Charlotte, North Carolina (NC), after being struck by a train. The railroad accident occurred on Friday, January 7th, 2011, at approximately 2:51 p.m.
According to Amtrak, the Piedmont train was heading from Raleigh to Charlotte when it hit the pedestrian near the intersection of McLean Road and Old Concord Road. 45 passengers were on the train at the time, but neither they, nor any of the crew members, were injured in the crash.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating the accident, and decline to release the victim’s name at present.
We are grateful that neither the passengers nor the crew members were injured; however, our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of the deceased at this time. To have your life taken away in an instant because of such an accident is truly a tragedy, and one that may have been avoided.
When crossing railroad tracks, be sure that you are doing so in designated areas, and that no warning lights are flashing that indicate an oncoming train. If you are crossing tracks at night, wear reflective clothing, and avoid dark colors that are difficult to see.
In addition to steps you can take to prevent accidents involving trains, railroad companies are also obligated to take precautions to avoid hitting pedestrians at crossings. If you or a loved one was injured at such a site, and believe that the company failed to protect you, contact a qualified attorney to discuss filing a claim.
IW