PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -
Just before 2 p.m. a Canadian-Pacific train moving about 25 mph was approaching Margaret Street.
Plattsburgh Police say that's where an elderly man was walking across the tracks. They say he was struck by the train and killed immediately.
"The pedestrian attempted to cross over the tracks and actually try and beat the train and unfortunately there was an accident," Plattsburgh Police Sgt. Kevin Riley said.
Police were at the scene for about three hours reconstructing the incident with a new 3D laser scanner device and receiving firsthand accounts.
"There were witnesses there that saw the whole thing take place," Sgt. Riley said.
Witnesses told police that the man either misjudged the oncoming train or didn't see it coming but people who live in the area could hear right away that something was wrong.
"I was walking down the street and I heard the train come to a stop. I heard it squeal and then next thing you know people come flying out a lot of people were out and someone said someone got hit by a train," Andrew Kinney said.
This death on train tracks is the second in the past few years. Police say a man committed suicide here in 2009. They say this one appears to be an accident. They're urging people to be mindful when crossing the tracks.
"Once those arms start going you should stop. There's no doubt in my mind," Sgt. Riley said.
Railroad police have video of the incident from a camera that monitors the tracks that won't be given to Plattsburgh Police immediately but will be used in their ongoing investigation of the incident.
