Royal Oak Man Filming One Train Struck By Another

ROYAL OAK, MI —A Royal Oak man was stuck by an Amtrak train early Saturday when he disregarded a lowered crossing arm and warning signals and stepped onto railroad tracks to film a freight train, authorities said Wednesday.

The man, whose name hasn't been released, was treated at a local hospital and is expected to recover, according to a news release from the Royal Oak Police Department.

Police officers and emergency medical responders were called to the railroad crossing at S. Washington and Sherman Drive about 1:15 a.m. Saturday after receiving the call that a pedestrian had been struck by the train. The victim was unconscious when first responders arrived.

Investigators from the police department, Oakland County Sheriff's Office and CN Railroad Police said the man stepped on the west set of tracks to film the northbound freight train, which was traveling on the east set of tracks. While standing on the west set of tracks, he was struck from behind by an approaching Amtrak train.

Witnesses told investigators the train conductor was sounding the horn and the crossing signals were active and working properly when the accident occurred.

The victim was ticketed for disregarding the railroad crossing signal. It is unknown if alcohol was a factor in this incident, police said.

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