Local
Man Fatally Struck by Commuter Rail Train Near Ayer Station; Fitchburg Line Delays Follow
A man was killed Monday evening after intentionally entering the right of way west of Ayer Station as an MBTA Commuter Rail train approached, prompting shuttle bus replacements and delays on the Fitchburg Line.
AYER â A man was struck and killed by an MBTA Commuter Rail train Monday evening west of Ayer Station after he intentionally entered the right of way as the train approached, according to MBTA Transit Police.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash disrupted service on the Fitchburg Line, and shuttle buses replaced rail service on part of the line Monday night, officials said.
A Transit Police spokesperson offered condolences to the man's family and friends on behalf of the department and the MBTA organization.
The death adds to a grim pattern of fatalities along the region's rail corridors, where advocates have long pressed for more robust safety measures, including fencing, signage and mental health outreach near tracks. Transit Police did not release the man's identity or additional details about the circumstances.
The Fitchburg Line serves communities northwest of Boston, including Ayer, and is a key commuter route for residents traveling to and from the city. Monday's disruption forced riders onto shuttle buses for part of the evening.
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