Photo: buzbuzzer / E+ / Getty Images
Miami-Dade, FL - A fatal accident occurred on Thursday when a pedestrian was fatally struck by a freight train in Miami-Dade County.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene near Northeast 26th Avenue and 186th Street, where a death investigation was underway.
Local authorities confirmed that the accident involved a Florida East Coast Railroad train.
To prevent similar accidents, the following safety tips should be observed:
- Always anticipate the possibility of an approaching train, as freight trains do not operate on fixed schedules.
- Avoid trespassing on the tracks as railroad tracks are private property.
- A freight train traveling at 55 mph requires approximately one mile to come to a complete stop.
- Locomotives can weigh upwards of 400,000 pounds, making them significantly heavier than vehicles and harder to stop.
- Trains always have the right of way, regardless of other vehicles or pedestrians, including emergency vehicles.