Colorado Pedestrian Seriously Injured by BNSF Freight Train at Non-Gated Crossing
(Fort Collins, Colorado – January 24, 2019)
A 42-year-old local female pedestrian was admitted in serious condition to a Loveland, CO hospital after she was hit by a BNSF freight train at the non-gated crossing of West Mountain Avenue and BNSF track in Fort Collins, CO. This incident occurred about 1:30 AM, MST Thursday morning.
Taken to the Medical Center of the Rockies was Hannah Mahady, whose injuries were undisclosed beyond being listed as serious in condition.
The victim was walking along Mountain Ave. when she was struck by the northbound BNSF train. The train is one of a daily average of 16 trains that travel the single track rail corridor which parallels Mason Street, at a maximum allowable speed of 49 mph. Although equipped with flashing lights, the road/rail intersection has no crossing gates to block motorist and pedestrian pathways across the track. Police stated they do not believe train speed was a factor in the accident.
The downtown crossing is bordered by buildings on both sides of the single track, thus impairing sight distance in both directions. The stopped train blocked numerous key intersections for over two hours while Fort Collins Police and BNSF Railway personnel investigated the scene.
