Boy Struck While Playing 'Chicken' With a Freight Train

Kyle Clements is listed in serious condition with multiple fractures and internal injuries.

Salem-News.com

(JEFFERSON, Ore.) - Police say a 13-year old boy was seriously injured Friday night around 9:20 PM, when he was struck by a freight train near Jefferson, Oregon.

Sgt Jeff Wheeler with the Marion County Sheriff's Office, says that as the mile-long freight train came through town blowing its horn, the boy played "chicken" with it as he walked with friends on the railroad tracks.

Wheeler says the friends exited the railroad tracks, as Kyle Clements attempted to "dodge" the train, by running in front of it and then jumping off the tracks at the last second.

"The train hit the boy, throwing him about 30 feet off the tracks. The boy was transported by Jefferson City Ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis, then life flighted to OHSU."

The Marion County Sheriff's Office and Jefferson City Fire Department responded to the railroad tracks at Union Street in Jefferson, after reports about the 13-year old boy being struck by a Union Pacific Freight train started being called in.

Kyle Clements is listed in serious condition with multiple fractures and internal injuries. Anyone with information can contact Deputy Ryan Postlewait of MCSO at 03-588-5032.