Bicyclist Struck by Amtrak Passenger Train Dies

As of 10:05 p.m. tonight the train is still blocking two Milwaukie intersections.

Salem-News.com

(MILWAUKIE, Ore.) - A man was struck and killed by an Amtrak passenger train tonight at approximately 9:30 p.m. Officer Ulli Neitch with Milwaukie Police, says she responded to the incident quickly; it happened about half a block from the TV station.

"The incident occurred at the SE Oak Street intersection with Campbell, right next to Milwaulkie Shopping Center."

Neitch says witnesses that were stopped for the train saw a bicyclist, described as an adult male, peddle into the intersection for an unknown reason, and navigated the bike through an area that allowed him to go around the crossing arm.

"He didn't make it, witnesses say that as he went around the crossing arm he was hit by the train."

It was Officer Neitch's day off, she had stopped by the police department to check email.

"It is a very unfortunate incident, I ran, it happened half a block from the police department. I thought maybe I could render first aid but quickly saw that was not an option."

She says the train engineers stopped as quickly as possible; as of 10:05 p.m. tonight it was still blocking two Milwaukie intersections.

"It is the same location and crossing where a female in the early morning hours had laid on the tracks." That incident happened a little over a year ago, Neitch said. "I was off that day, not involved in that one."

Tonight she said she had just arrived at the department when she heard the train go past. She suspects the man, who has not yet been identified, was fatally struck by the passing train.

There were no reports of injuries to anyone on the Amtrak.

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