Person killed after being hit by Amtrak train in Radnor.

A tragic incident occurred on Sunday morning in Radnor, Pennsylvania, when an individual was struck and killed by an Amtrak train. This incident marks the fifth fatality involving an Amtrak train in the region within the last month, raising concerns about safety on the tracks.

According to Amtrak spokesperson Beth Toll, the individual was trespassing on the tracks west of Villanova Station when the train collided with them around 11:10 a.m. As the investigation unfolds, Radnor police Sergeant Stephen Ryan reported that the victim’s identity remains unknown, and there are no indications of foul play.

The train, identified as number 663, was en route from New York to Harrisburg, carrying 216 passengers and crew members. Remarkably, none of those onboard reported any injuries, as confirmed by Toll. In response to the incident, train services on the affected tracks, which also serve SEPTA’s Paoli-Thorndale line, were temporarily suspended while police and emergency personnel addressed the situation.

During the incident, one SEPTA train was operational, prompting the transfer of its passengers to shuttle buses for continued travel. By 2:30 p.m. the same day, the tracks at Villanova Station remained closed in the westbound direction; however, eastbound train services resumed. For travelers heading toward Chester County, detours to the King of Prussia Station were advised as an alternative route.

This incident follows other fatalities involving Amtrak trains in recent weeks. On April 2, a person was killed after being struck by a train near SEPTA’s Cornwells Heights station. The following day, a family tragedy unfolded when a father and his two sons were fatally struck by a train near the Bristol SEPTA station — with further inquiries revealing differing circumstances surrounding the deaths, with one being classified as a suicide.

A recent audit highlighted the pressing issue of safety around railroad tracks, revealing that Amtrak trains had struck individuals or occupied vehicles on the tracks 800 times between fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2023. These incidents resulted in 594 fatalities and 279 injuries. Amtrak has expressed a commitment to prioritizing safety and preventing future tragedies.

As noted by Toll, trespassing along railroad rights-of-way is recognized as the leading cause of rail-related deaths in the United States, which emphasizes the necessity of caution around train tracks and grade crossings. The audit also suggested that Amtrak can enhance safety measures by constructing barriers and improving visibility near tracks, as well as employing technology to monitor and alert authorities about unauthorized individuals on the tracks.

This series of incidents serves as a sobering reminder of the critical importance of rail safety measures and the need for increased public awareness.