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21-year-old New London man hit by train in Appleton

Police: Alcohol was a factor
21-year-old New London man hit by train in Appleton
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UPDATE: The 21-year-old New London man who was hit by a train in Appleton Sunday morning remained hospitalized Monday.  Appleton police have determined alcohol was a factor in the incident.

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UPDATE: A 21-year-old New London man was seriously injured after being hit by a train in the area of West Lawrence St. and Locust St. in Appleton. 

According to Appleton Police, the man appeared to be lying on the tracks when he was hit, and alcohol might be a factor in this case.

The accident happened around 4:30 Sunday morning, according to police.  

Appleton police say an officer on patrol heard the Canadian National train sound its horn, and apply its brakes. Once stopped, the train's engineer told the officer he hit someone near S. Locust and W. Lawrence.
 
"They did see something on the tracks. They weren't sure initially what that was," says Sgt. Dave Lund with Appleton police Sunday morning. "They started to sound their whistle, tried to alert [him], and then they applied their brakes. Obviously, you're not able to stop a freight train in a very short distance." 
 
CN officials on scene say the train was 130+ cars long, with three engines.
 
"It was a fairly lengthy train," says Lund, "it was very difficult to stop." 
 
Numerous intersections remained closed across downtown Appleton until 7:50 Sunday morning while officers investigated the incident.

Police say the 21-year-old man appeared to suffer "very serious injuries" to the lower half of his body, but they didn't appear to be life-threatening.

"Although the injuries appear serious, they do not appear life threatening," adds Sgt. Lund.

The man was taken to a local hospital where he is still recovering from those injuries.

Lund says it's not the first accident of its kind in Appleton, where many neighbors tolerate the railroad traffic.

"Oh yeah, like, we've got this train at.. three in the morning that just comes by our house," says Jonah Wulf, out for a Sunday morning stroll with his dad. "It makes the most obnoxious noise." 

Jonah's dad, Steve, agrees with his son, and while he says he supports the industry that's keeping jobs in the Fox Cities, he's not always comfortable driving the roadways where train crossings are commonplace.

 "It does make it kind of scare to make some of these left turns," laughs Wulf. "You have to worry about whether you're too far forward. I'm always paranoid about getting caught on the wrong side of the train signal, and getting hit." 
 
Sgt. Lund says the most common accidents involving trains and people often also involve alcohol, or mental illness. 
 
Appleton police urge people to use caution at all railroad crossings. 

 

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Appleton Police say they'll release more information today regarding a pedestrian who was hit by a train overnight.

Appleton Police Sgt. David Lund is expected to release those details around 10:30 Sunday morning.

This story will be updated when more information comes in.

 

 

 

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