Local
Man, 59, dies in freight train collision near Puyallup’s North Meridian crossing
A 59-year-old man using an electric wheelchair died Wednesday after a collision with a freight train in Puyallup. The crash blocked downtown rail crossings and delayed Sounder S Line trains.
A 59-year-old man using an electric wheelchair died Wednesday after a freight train struck him near Puyallup’s North Meridian crossing, police said.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Puyallup police Capt. Jeremy Hedrick. Two people nearby tried to help him off the tracks, Hedrick said. Early reports that another person had been injured were incorrect.
The collision blocked downtown railroad crossings. Police advised drivers to use State Route 512, the Shaw Road Bridge, 15th Street Southeast at East Pioneer Avenue, or 12th Street Northwest at West Stewart Avenue as alternate routes.
Sound Transit reported delays on its S Line service between King Street Station and Lakewood Station. The cause of the collision was not reported.