21-year-old man struck by train in Copperas Cove

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

A 21-year-old man was killed on Sunday afternoon at approximately 2:10 p.m. by a BNSF train that struck him on the tracks, in the area adjacent to the 1500 block of Business 190.

According to a media release on Tuesday morning, Masao Joverson Skilling was lying on the tracks and the train was approaching, traveling east.

The train operator noticed Skilling lying on the tracks and immediately activated the emergency stopping system while signaling with the horn.

Skilling attempted to get away from the train but was unable to before being struck.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace F.W. “Bill” Price.

The train had two engines and 119 cargo cars loaded with approximately 13,000 tons of various commodities, according to Copperas Cove police.

The railroad crossings at Wolf Road, Main Street, and 1st Street were closed, as was the railroad line. BNSF said the line reopened at 8:50 p.m. Sunday.

BNSF shared a link with information about railroad track safety, at https://oli.org/safety-near-trains/track-safety-basics, with one of the reminders being that all train tracks are private property and people should never walk on tracks. It is considered illegal trespass, not to mention being highly dangerous.

“It takes the average freight train traveling at 55 mph more than a mile—the length of 18 football fields—to stop. Trains cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a collision.”

Also, trains have the right of way 100 percent of the time over emergency vehicles, cars, police and pedestrians.

Likewise, a train can extend three feet or more beyond the steel rail, putting the safety zone for pedestrians well beyond the three-foot mark. If there are rails on the railroad ties, always assume the track is in use, even if there are weeds or the track looks unused.

BNSF stated that today's trains are quieter than ever, producing no telltale "clackety-clack." Any approaching train is always closer, moving faster, than you think.

BNSF reminds people to stay alert around railroad tracks and refrain from texting, headphones or other distractions that would prevent someone from hearing an approaching train; and to “never mix rails and recreation.”

The Copperas Cove Police Department continues to investigate this incident.