| Train accident claims pedestrian | | Posted: Thursday, March 15, 2012 9:31 pm
| A senior citizen died Wednesday after being struck by a train in Martin.
Marjorie Irvine, 74, of 305 North Davis St., Martin, died en route to a Memphis hospital as the result of injuries sustained in an accident that occurred about 4:20 p.m.
Police had responded to the area of North Davis Street near the railroad tracks in Martin after receiving a complaint of a pedestrian being struck by a train, according to a Martin Police Department report.
When officers arrived, they found a woman lying in a ditch on the east side of the railroad tracks. The train had been uncoupled to give emergency medical services and Martin Fire Department personnel access to the victim.
The woman had sustained injuries to the left side of her body and possible head injuries. She was transported by ambulance to Volunteer Community Hospital in Martin and was later airlifted to the Memphis hospital by Air Evac Lifeteam.
Police were notified about 6:30 p.m. by Air Evac personnel that Ms. Irvine had died while en route to Memphis.
According to the police report, a West Tennessee Railroad Co. employee who was on the train told police Ms. Irvine began crossing the train right-of-way and did not seem to respond to the train’s horn being sounded. He said the train began braking but was unable to stop before striking the woman.
The employee told police the speed limit for the area of track is 25 mph and he said the train was traveling at that speed prior to braking for the pedestrian.
A witness who was operating the train relayed the same series of events to police.
The accident remains under investigation. Published in The Messenger 3.15.12 | | | | |
