(Kansas City, Missouri – July 7, 2011)
A blind man, said to be in his 30’s, was struck and injured about 7:00 A.M. Thursday morning by a Union Pacific coal train near 18th Street and Agnes Avenue, just east of I-70 on Kansas City, MO’s east side.
Obviously confused, the man could hear but not see the approaching train in time to escape its path. The Union Pacific Railroad tracks travel through a large trench at this location, making it necessary for emergency workers to haul the victim to street level using a basket apparatus. Speculation was offered that the man may have tumbled down the steep embankment from the street and sidewalk that cross the tracks via an overpass.
The man was transported to a local hospital with undisclosed head and neck injuries.