Published: 6/14/2021 4:31:25 PM
NORTHAMPTON — Amtrak Police are continuing to work with local law enforcement in investigating a weekend incident in which a man walking on the railroad tracks near Union Station was clipped and injured by an Amtrak Valley Flyer train.
The man, accompanied by a woman who was also on the tracks just after 8 p.m. Saturday, was taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield for treatment. No additional information about his condition was immediately available.
No passengers or crew members who were on board the train, which was traveling from New Haven, Connecticut to Greenfield, reported being injured, said Jason Abrams, a spokeman for Amtrak. Those on board the train were provided taxi service to get from Northampton to Greenfield.
Northampton Police Capt. Victor Caputo said the investigation is being handled by Amtrak Police, though a Northampton officer wrote in his report that the two people on the tracks will be summoned to court on charges of trespassing on railroad property. Abrams confirmed that Amtrak would be bringing the charges.
Abrams wrote in an email that safety around tracks is important, with 2,000 people killed or injured at grade crossings and due to trespassing incidents each year.
“This incident is a critical reminder to the public about the importance of exercising caution around railroad tracks and crossings,” Abrams wrote, noting that Amtrak works closely with Operation Lifesaver to communicate the dangers of being inattentive at grade crossings and along the railroad right-of-way.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.