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BREAKING NEWS: Two Killed By Freight Train South of Galesburg
UPDATED 1:08pm 7/8/10 Two people are dead after they were struck by a freight train south of Galesburg.

The Knox County Sheriffs Department isn't releasing any names, but says two teenage males between the ages of 14 and 18 were struck by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe train on County Road 940 North, about two and a half miles north of Abingdon and just east of Illinois Highway 41, around 8:20am Thursday.

Deputies say one was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other died while on the way to the hospital.

BNSF spokesperson Amy McBeth says the two were in the crossing there, and sheriffs officials say they were discovered by train crew members moments before the incident, lying between the railroad tracks.

McBeth says the 86-car freight train with five locomotives carrying general merchandise was headed east-bound into Galesburg, and was travelling from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

McBeth says the main line the freight train was on is open again to traffic.

An man who lives in the area of the tracks who asked not to be identified, tells WGIL it's at least the third time in as many years he's seen such an accident happen.

Sheriffs officials say an investigation is continuing.


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07 08 10 by Newsroom
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