Man clipped by freight train dies in Clark County

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Clark County officials say a man was clipped by a freight train north of Felida, Washington, early Tuesday morning. A railway spokesman says he died at a local hospital.

The Columbian newspaper reports the man in his 30s was sitting on the tracks when the northbound train approached and tried to brake, around 7:30 a.m. Clark County Fire & Rescue spokesman Tim Dawdy says the man was struck and thrown 60 feet down an embankment.

Dawdy says firefighters found the man and took him to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center.

Dawdy said the area is known for trespassers and the agency has responded to several crashes involving trains and pedestrians in the area. He encouraged people to stay off the tracks.

BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas says the train was a Union Pacific freight train traveling north.