Man Shocked To Death After Touching Train Track Wire: NJ Transit

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A man was electrocuted after touching a train track wire in Essex County early Tuesday morning, authorities say.

According to NJ Transit, the fatality took place around 2:25 a.m. at the Bathgate Place and 7th Street bridge crossing in Newark.

NJ Transit police received a report from local EMS workers that an adult male was lying on the train tracks. When emergency responders arrived, they found the man dead at the scene.

Authorities said the pedestrian came into contact with a overhead catenary wire, a high-voltage wire that supplies electric power to trains.

The wire was damaged after the man touched it, authorities said.

“Preliminarily, it does not appear the trespasser was struck by a train,” a NJ Transit spokesperson said.

Service on the Morris & Essex line was briefly stopped, but has since resumed following repair of the damaged wire, authorities said.

NJ Transit police are leading an investigation into the death. No additional information was immediately available.

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