LRT Riders React To Latest Pedestrian Fatality
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Authorities say a person in a motorized wheelchair died Sunday night after being hit by a Metro Transit Blue Line train in south Minneapolis.
The incident happened at about 6 p.m. near 32nd St. S. The victim was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center with critical injuries. Metro Transit officials say he later died of his injuries.
The victim's name has not yet been released.
Witnesses said a man in a wheelchair was using a crosswalk near 24th Avenue South and 32nd Street East. The victim was crossing the track with the other person when the wheelchair got stuck and he was hit. How the wheelchair got stuck and was that close to the tracks is still under investigation.
One witness, Richard Fossen, said the man appeared to be in his 50s and traveling with a caretaker and a group of a few other people in wheelchairs.
He says many people tried to rush to help the victim, but it all happened so fast.
While stopped at a nearby traffic light, Fossen immediately parked and tried to come to the man's assistance.
"I saw a wheel moving from the wheelchair. I noticed there was someone on the tracks, Fossen said. "At the same time the train was bearing down, so there was not much time to stop the vehicle and help except after impact."
Fossen says the victim wasn't trying to beat the train. The crossing arm came down just after the man fell onto the tracks. He believes the victim cut the corner.
Metro Transit spokesperson Howie Padilla says three people have died in recent months in light rail accidents, prompting the public transportation operator to look into strengthening safety and signage along the Blue and Green Line routes.
Metro Transit plans to review the light rail system and have some concrete ideas for any changes within the next couple of weeks.
The train operator is on paid administrative leave during the investigation.