FAIRFIELD, CT — A man was fatally electrocuted Thursday afternoon after he climbed on top of a Metro-North train near the Southport Train Station, according to authorities.
The incident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. and led to the closure of the Southport station for about three hours while Metropolitan Transportation Authority police, Fairfield police and Fairfield fire personnel investigated. The station has since been reopened, but service has been delayed.
According to a Metro-North spokesperson, the operator of Train #1563 requested police and medical assistance at the station because of a "disorderly person."
"Preliminary investigation, including witness statements, reveals a confrontation occurred inside the train, followed by the subject climbing in between the second and third car of the train to the top of car #9474, where upon he came into contact with the electrified overhead catenary wire," the spokesperson wrote in a statement to Patch. "Responding MTAPD officers along with Fairfield Fire Department EMS determined the subject to be DOA on scene."
The victim's identity has not been released.
Passengers were evacuated from the train to use alternative transportation to get to their destinations, according to Metro-North.
WFSB-TV reported that as passengers exited the train, they could see the man's body on fire on top of the train.
No other injuries were reported, and the investigation is continuing.
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Fairfield, CT Patch
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