UPDATED 3:31 p.m. 9/9/24
A man possibly from Kewanee is dead after he was hit by an Amtrak train Sunday night.
Kewanee Police say a train, presumably the Illinois Zephyr, was arriving into Kewanee around 8:00 p.m. when it struck an individual laying on the tracks near a local scrap yard.
Police say their investigation turned up identification and other personal items belonging to the 40-year-old man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The name of the victim is not being released pending positive confirmation.
Police say anyone who might have information that can help the investigation can contact Detectices Paulsen or Kazubowski at Kewanee Police, (309) 853-1911.
One WGIL listener who was on the train tells us that the Chicago to Quincy train didn’t get into the Galesburg station until around 2:15 a.m. Monday — about five and a half hours behind schedule.
Below is a statement from Amtrak on the fatality.
On Sunday, Sept. 8, Amtrak Train 383 was traveling from Chicago to Quincy when at about 8:00 p.m. CT the train came into contact with a someone obstructing the BNSF Railway tracks just east of the Kewanee station. There have been no reported injuries to the 129 passengers or to the crew members onboard. The tracks reopened and we continued west after a delay of 5:25.
Whether the action by the trespassing person was intentional or unintentional would be a determination by the local police or coroner/medical examiner.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, railroad trespassing incidents are the second leading cause of rail-related deaths in America. These incidents can affect everyone involved—those who are injured or die and their families, our train crews, and our passengers. They also serve as critical reminders about the importance of obeying the law and of exercising extreme caution around railroad tracks and crossings. Amtrak continues to work closely with Operation Lifesaver (OLI) to #STOPTrackTragedies by emphasizing the obvious dangers of being on railroad property or disregarding warnings at rail crossings. — Amtrak statement
