JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man died late Tuesday when he was hit by a train trying to cross tracks in the city’s Spring Park area, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.
The man, about 50 years old, was walking his bicycle across train tracks at the intersection of Emerson Street and Philips Highway just before midnight when he was hit by an oncoming train, JSO Sgt. David Smith said.
The man didn’t appear to be in a hurry, and while it seemed he was trying to beat the train, he wasn’t running, officials said.
"He either did not see or hear it until it was too late," Smith said. "It struck him and the train called it in."
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not released his name.
The train crossing arms and the lights at the intersection appeared to be working at the time. The cargo train, a Norfolk Southern train, was traveling about 20 to 30 mph at the time of the crash.
Police said the only witnesses of the crash appear to be those on the train.
Seven people died after being hit by trains in the Jacksonville area last year.