Train Hits Trespasser On Tracks In Odenton: Officials

ODENTON, MD — An Amtrak train hit a trespasser on the tracks Tuesday evening in Odenton, officials said.

The high-speed rail company confirmed the news to Patch on Wednesday morning. The spokesperson, however, did not answer our questions about whether the trespasser survived and why they were on the tracks.

Anne Arundel First Alert said, "The body has been found. Our sources report the body was found on top of the train."

Amtrak spokesperson Beth K. Toll said the collision happened around 5:20 p.m. The Northeast Regional Train 93 was traveling from Boston, Massachusetts to Norfolk, Virginia.

The train had about 315 passengers and crew members onboard. None of them were hurt, Toll said, noting that passengers transferred to continue to their destinations.

"Amtrak is working with local law enforcement to investigate the incident," Toll said in an email.

Track Safety

Citing the Federal Railroad Administration, Toll said trespassing on tracks is the leading cause of train-related deaths in America. Railroad crossing incidents are the second leading cause of train-related deaths.

"These incidents can affect everyone involved—those who are injured or die and their families, our train crews, and our passengers," Toll said. "They also serve as critical reminders about the importance of obeying the law and of exercising extreme caution around railroad tracks and crossings."

Amtrak said it "continues to work closely with Operation Lifesaver (OLI) to #STOPTrackTragedies by emphasizing the obvious dangers of being on railroad property or disregarding warnings at rail crossings."

More railroad safety information is posted at StayOffTheTracks.org.

Service Disruptions

Amtrak shares that section of track with the Penn Line of the Maryland Area Real Commuter, also known as the MARC Train.

The Maryland Transit Administration, which operates the MARC, announced on Twitter that all Penn Line service was suspended Tuesday at 5:34 p.m.

Most Penn Line service resumed at 9 p.m., but Odenton Station remained closed for the rest of the evening.

Odenton Station reopened Wednesday at 6:48 a.m. The ticket office is closed, but the self-service ticketing machine, the waiting room and the restrooms are all open.

Riders can get real-time service updates by visiting mta.maryland.gov/service-alerts or following the Maryland Transit Administration on Twitter.