Two people struck and killed by train on railroad trestle
A 20-year-old woman from Tuscarawas and a 21-year-old man from the Dover area were killed Tuesday afternoon when they were struck by a train on a trestle over the Tuscarawas River near Zoar.
According to Tuscarawas Sheriff Orvis Campbell, the pair had gone hiking, and it appears they got trapped on a tall, narrow trestle that spans over the Tuscarawas River and state Route 212. Wheeling Lake Erie Railroad called 911 at 4:41 p.m. to report that they had struck two individuals on the railroad trestle. The train engineer told investigators he came around a curve and saw two people on the trestle heading in the direction of the train to try to get off. He immediately put the train in the emergency braking protocol, but the individuals did not make it off the trestle. It appears both individuals died immediately. First responders found the individuals deceased, lying on the river bank below. The sheriff’s office and the coroner’s office are investigating. Campbell says they are not immediately releasing the names to give the families time to notify relatives.
Listen to WJER Radio Wednesday morning for more coverage.