Eastern Railroad Discussion > Railfan Killed By Amtrak Train

From the RAILNET list:

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/top/w08train.htm


Amtrak train kills Gurnee man

By Paul Pfeifer
STAFF WRITER

GURNEE IL - A 51-year-old Gurnee man died Friday morning after being
hit by an Amtrak passenger train, Gurnee police Cmdr. Jay Patrick said.

Kent Desormey was pronouced dead at the scene at 9:45 a.m., Lake
County Chief Deputy Coroner Jim Wipper said.

The accident occurred at 8:45 a.m. on the Canadian Pacific Railroad
tracks, approximately 250 feet north of Route 41.

Police said Desormey was climbing an embankment onto the tracks as
Amtrak train No. 332, headed south to Chicago from Milwaukee, came
around a curve at 78 mph.

The train\'s engineer told police he saw Desormey on the tracks and
sounded the train\'s horn.

At the time of the accident, there was limited visibility due to
snow, but it was unknown if that contributed to the crash, Patrick said.

The accident is being investigated by Gurnee police, the Lake County
coroner\'s office and Amtrak railroad police.

However, authorities said it doesn\'t appear the incident was a suicide.

Patrick said Desormey was a train enthusiast and had been known to
watch trains as they speeded past.

Friday\'s accident was the second fatal crash involving a train and
pedestrian in the last three months.

A 46-year-old Great Lakes man was struck by a Metra commuter train
on Dec. 18 in the 2100 block of Sheridan Road. The victim was walking
alongside the railroad tracks when he was hit.

On Nov. 15, a 39-year-old Mundelein woman was killed by a commuter
train when she drove around the Canadian National crossing gates at
Allanson Road.

This was also posted to the Amtrak list late last night/early this morning (depending on which time zone you\'re in).

It has been said a kabillion times but PLEASE be careful out there..do not go where you do not belong.....

And you wonder why RR cops hassle railfans??? No doubt this person\'s family will try to sue.

And the locals, just so no one is left out. I\'ve warned many to stay off the tracks. Most of the locals give me an indication that I am #1, using finger #2. I\'ve even had some tell me "What ever!"

The next "what ever" will be that persons last visit to Crossroads Park in Deshler. They won\'t be permitted back. Being privately owned we can and HAVE done that.

I enjoy being DRF, cooking chicken and playing the part, but tresspassing won\'t be tolerated!

If you can\'t stay off the tracks, go some where else!

DRF