Man hit by train may have been on tracks for some time

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A man was killed Wednesday morning after being struck by a CSX train in South Charleston, police said.

It happened near Rock Lake Drive close to the Chestnut Street railroad crossing at just before 7:30 a.m., according to South Charleston Police Department Lt. Pat Rader.

“Our best guess is that he had been on the tracks for a period of time and attempted to walk off or get off the tracks and wasn’t able to do so,” Rader said.

The victim appeared to be middle-aged, Rader said. The body was taken to the state Medical Examiner’s Office for identification. He had no identification on him.

The body was found 20 to 25 feet away from the tracks. Rader said railroad track property is a dangerous place to be.

“That’s why the railroad companies have these safety campaigns. They make it pretty clear they don’t want people on the tracks for this very thing,” Rader said.