Sumner, Washington – Man Dies After Getting Struck by Train

Sumner, Washington (December 3, 2019) – A pedestrian was killed after getting struck by a Sounder train south of Sumner Station on Tuesday morning. The victim was reported to be a 54 year-old man from Puyallup. According to a report, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the man’s death as a suicide.

The incident occurred 5:30 a.m., involving a train going from Lakewood to Seattle. The incident shut down train services while the death was being investigated. Buses were sent to transport passengers Federal Way, where they could board buses to Seattle.

About Train Accidents

We offer our sympathies and compassion for the friends and loved ones of the victim. While train accidents can be deadly, they are among the safest forms of transportation, with a fatality rate much lower than car or motorcycle accidents. Derailments, which can lead to many train-related accidents, are said to be common but are most likely harmless, with trains only causing damage or injuries if the derailment causes the train to crash into a structure or another train. However, while riding the train is relatively safe, a collision with one is likely to be deadly. This is because trains can weigh over millions of pounds. According to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, the average freight train consisting of 100 cars can weigh from 12 million to twenty million pounds – this weight combined with the speed of a train can cause great impact. Additionally, this weight also delays the effect of an emergency brake, which may need distance of over a mile to fully halt a train. Because of this, it is important to always remain alert near railroads.

While trains have many safety features, it is everyone’s responsibility to be safe around tracks. Keeping in mind that trains cannot swerve nor quickly stop, so pedestrians and drivers alike must take care to keep off tracks when a rain is approaching. Never underestimate the speed of an oncoming train, which may look like it’s approaching slowly due to optical illusions. Lastly, one must always watch out for the presence of a second train. By keeping alert and following regulations, we can help avoid train accidents from happening.

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