EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — A 34-year-old Effingham man died on Wednesday after being hit by a train.
On Wednesday at about 4:45 p.m., police officers were dispatched to the Jefferson St. crossing in downtown Effingham following a report of a bicycle rider being struck by a train.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a man lying unresponsive next to the tracks. The man was later identified by Kim Rhodes, the Effingham County Coroner, as Travis Ingram. He was transported by Rural EMS to a local hospital, where he was declared deceased at 5:17 p.m.
Initial details suggest that a northbound Canadian National Freight train collided with the cyclist as he traveled west across the railway tracks.
While the crossing does have lights and gates, it is considered a “quiet zone” where the train horn is not played. Police also said Ingram was wearing headphones which may have kept him from hearing other train noises. The bicycle was found on the east side of the tracks, and the headphones were on the west side.
The conductor and engineer of the Canadian National Railroad were not injured in the collision. WCIA reached out to Canadian National for a statement, but did not immediately hear back.
Effingham City Police, the Effingham County Coroner and the Canadian National Railroad are investigating.
The Effingham City Police Department, Effingham Detective Bureau, Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, Rural Med EMS, Effingham County Coroner’s Office and the Canadian National Railroad Authorities assisted at the scene of the accident.
