Salem Teen Severely Injured Trying to Hop Freight Train

This cross and others were erected near the scene of two local train fatalities during the summer of '04 Photo By: Tim King

(SALEM) - Police say a 13-year old Salem boy was severely injured Saturday night when he tried to jump aboard a moving northbound freight train. It happened around 11:00 PM in the 2200 block of Maple Street NE according to Salem Police Lt. John Hoffmeister.

`He jumped onto a moving train in an attempt to get a ride on it. He grabbed onto the ladder of one of the cars, slipped and his left foot was run over by one of the wheels."

Most train versus people collisions in Salem end in death for the person involved. Hoffmeister says this particular boy, who attends middle school in Salem, is fortunate to be alive. Hoffmeister says the injuries caused by a multi-car freight train, unyielding in terms of weight and force, caused major injuries to the Salem teen, `This severed several toes as well as pulled skin from the middle of the foot, causing severe injuries."

He says the boy was taken to Salem Hospital`s Emergency Room. The parents told police that they hope the incident goes on to be a learning lesson for many.

In recent years, Salem has had a number of pedestrian and bicycle related train deaths. Hoffmeister says it often happens when people are walking on tracks or trying to cross them, `Two of these were people trying to beat the train to the crossing while one was reportedly talking on a cell phone and was unaware of the train. This young boy attempting to ride the train was very lucky to have only been seriously injured."

Hoffmeister says any attempt to ride a train is a very bad idea. `People easily misjudge the speed of a train and the momentum with which it moves. The millions of pounds of weight from things like steel wheels will literally tear up anything in its path according to Hoffmeister. He says it is also important to remember that railroad tracks are private property and any person caught `hopping a ride" on a train or walking along the tracks could be charged with Criminal Trespass under Oregon state law.