Man hit by train, seriously injured in Auburn
Train Strikes Man Walking on Auburn Tracks, He Is Treated for Serious Injuries
Auburn – A 32‑year‑old man was struck by a passing train while walking on the railroad tracks between Elm and Court streets on Tuesday afternoon, Auburn police said. The incident occurred around 3:25 p.m., the time the police were first dispatched to the scene.
According to the Auburn Police Department’s release, the victim, Cornelius Williams, was walking along the tracks and pushing a cart when a freight train entered the crossing. Witnesses nearby reported that they tried to warn Williams as the train approached, telling him to move away from the tracks, but he did not heed their pleas.
“We saw him in the path of the train and shouted at him to get off,” one passerby recounted. “He didn’t move.”
The Auburn Fire Department responded immediately and transported Williams to Central Maine Medical Center. Hospital staff treated him for serious injuries, though the injuries were reported as non‑life‑threatening. He is currently under observation as medical teams assess the extent of his wounds.
The police have opened an investigation into the incident. “We are looking into how this happened and what could have been done to prevent it,” the department said in its statement. The investigation will examine both the circumstances that led to Williams walking on the tracks and the adequacy of warning efforts by bystanders and authorities.
Railroad crossings remain a serious safety concern in the region. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that between 2015 and 2020, there were more than 2,300 injuries and 1,100 deaths nationwide on train crossings, with a significant portion of accidents involving pedestrians who do not heed warnings.
Officials urge residents to stay off active rail lines and to use designated pedestrian crossings whenever possible. “The tracks are dangerous, especially at low‑speed or freight trains,” the Auburn Police Department added. “We strongly encourage people to avoid walking, biking, or walking a cart along them.”
Williams’s family has not yet released a statement, and no other injuries have been reported at the scene. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with railroad tracks and the importance of respecting train warnings.
For ongoing coverage, Auburn residents can check the city’s official website or follow local news outlets for updates on the investigation and any follow‑up actions.
