I really don't like posting these news items, but I do it to remind and warn our readers that railroad property is a dangerous place. Police will now step their surveillance of railroad property, but they cannot be everywhere all the time. Besides, that is not the best way to prevent these tragadies. Please behave safely while railfanning.
The following article is from The Courier-News (NJ) for Tuesday, 3/24/09. It has not yet been determined if this was an accident or a suicide.
Bridgewater man struck, killed by train
A 47-year-old township man was struck by a NJ Transit commuter train and killed just before 10 p.m. Sunday on the Raritan Valley line near Central Avenue, west of Finderne Avenue in the Finderne section.
Autopsy results are pending for John F. Alexander, who lived within walking distance of the scene, said Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne J. Forrest.
Alexander was struck by a NJ Transit commuter train traveling westbound, Forrest said.
A witness told authorities he saw the victim, who appeared to be deliberately on the rail line, just moments before being struck, Forrest said.
Forrest said the Alexander is suspected of consuming alcohol prior to being hit by the fast-moving train.
The Bridgewater Police Department, NJ Transit Police, CSX Transportation Railroad Police and the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Squad were all involved in the investigation.
Michael Deak