Wheelchair user killed after becoming stuck on railroad tracks

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 19:58 · Archive

A 59-year-old man in an electric wheelchair was struck and killed by a freight train in Puyallup, Washington after his chair became stuck on the tracks.

A 59-year-old man died after his electric wheelchair became stuck on railroad tracks at the North Meridian crossing in Puyallup, Washington, shortly after 2pm on Wednesday. A Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train struck him as he was crossing the tracks.

Two people nearby saw what happened and tried to help free the wheelchair, but were unable to get the man to safety before the train hit. One of the passersby who attempted to help was injured and taken to hospital by Central Pierce Fire & Rescue. The man in the wheelchair died at the scene.

Puyallup Police Operations Captain Jeremy Hedrick told KOMO News that 'at this point in the investigation, it does not appear to be intentional but was a tragic accident'. Police have not released the man's identity and it remains unclear what caused the wheelchair to become stuck. Road closures were put in place around the crossing as emergency crews responded, with the crossing reopened shortly before 9pm.

How it is being reported

• Washington man killed by train after his wheelchair got stuck crossing the tracksOne of the two passersby who tried to help the men get off the tracks in time was also injuredIndependent World · 22 Oct, 19:36
• Wheelchair user suffered horror death after getting stuck on railroad tracks as train approachedA man died after his electric wheelchair became stuck on railroad tracks in Puyallup, Washington, as a Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) train approached, police said.Daily Mail · 22 Oct, 16:19

In this story: Puyallup · Washington · North Meridian crossing · Burlington Northern Santa Fe · Puyallup Police Department · Central Pierce Fire & Rescue

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