A 56-year-old Lincoln man has been killed after stumbling in front of a freight train.
Lincoln Police Department spokeswoman Katie Flood says Paul Bellew had made it across the tracks when the Burlington Northern – Santa Fe train approached from the west at an intersection in the city.
“The crew saw a man crossing the tracks and applied the horn,” Flood says. “The man had made it across the tracks and appeared to be in the clear when suddenly, he stumbled backward, again falling on the tracks.”
Flood says the engineer applied the brakes, but was unable to stop in time.
“The man suffered significant injury and was transported to the hospital. He was later determined deceased,” according to Flood. “At this time, the death does appear to be accidental.”
Flood says alcohol might have played a role in the death.
Jane Monnich, KLIN, contributed to this story.