A tragic accident occurred in downtown Oconomowoc on Tuesday afternoon when a bicyclist was struck and killed by an Amtrak train at the railroad crossing on South Silver Lake Street.
According to the Oconomowoc Enterprise, the incident took place around 1:18 p.m. when the Oconomowoc Police Department received a call about a pedestrian being hit by the train.
The victim, a man in his mid-70s, was reportedly riding his bike on the sidewalk and failed to stop despite the flashing lights and crossing chimes at the railroad crossing, as stated by Police Capt. Brad Timm. Unfortunately, the man was pronounced deceased upon the arrival of emergency responders. His name has not been released as of Wednesday afternoon.
Hey Business Owners! Learn Why You Should Advertise With The Lake Country Tribune
The accident led to the temporary closure of several railroad crossings in the area, including those at South Cross Street, South Main Street, and South Worthington Street, which remained closed for several hours as authorities conducted their investigation. According to the Oconomowoc Enterprise, Amtrak has been actively assisting with the investigation, and Canadian Pacific Railroad Police are also involved in determining the details surrounding the incident.
While no injuries were reported among the passengers on the train, the incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of adhering to safety signals and precautions at railroad crossings. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to uncover more details about this tragic event.
NEXT: Helping Library: A New Resource for Pewaukee Families Navigating Tough Topics