Tragedy on train tracks

UPDATED: 1:50 p.m.

Police are now investigating the death of a 25 -year-old man who was hit by a train Sunday afternoon in Lavington.

Vernon RCMP say the Penticton man may have been intoxicated at the time of his death at about 3:30 p.m.

"When the officers arrived they received witness accounts that there were two men that had been seen on and off the tracks," says Cpl. Yannick Lescarbeau. "They had actually been warned by some workers to stay off the tracks. The investigation is sort of leaning towards the fact that this man was intoxicated."

CN Rail media relations representative told Castanet in an email, "While a train was serving a local industry in Lavington, an adult male was fatally injured. It happened at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation."

A person who witnessed the incident but wants to remain unidentified says he thinks that the man was walking with his friend when they decided to hop on the train.

"The CN Train went to move back and they think he fell and got run over."
 
The incident occurred just off Highway 6 at the Hill Drive crossing and Pinnacle Renewable Energy Inc, near the Tolko substation.

"[According to the] Investigators this man was walking near the moving train or may be attempting to cross or get on the train. He was definitely intending to be near the train," said Cpl. Lescarbeau.

The incident remains under investigation.

ORIGINAL: 9:44 a.m.

A young man is dead after being hit by a CN Train Sunday afternoon in the community of Lavington, near Vernon.

Vernon RCMP, CN police and the Lavington Fire Department responded to the incident, which occurred about 3:30 p.m.

"The investigation suggests that the deceased may have been intoxicated and (was) seen walking on the track moments before he was killed," says Cpl. Yannick Lescarbeau.

"Walking on tracks where trains operate is not only illegal, but it has the potential for serious risks of injury or death," he said.

The 25-year-old Penticton man was struck by the slow-moving train near the Hill Drive crossing and Tolko substation.