Woman Using Wheelchair Struck, Killed By Freight Train

ERIE, Pa. (AP) - Authorities in northwestern Pennsylvania say a woman using a wheelchair was struck and killed by a freight train over the weekend.

The Erie Times-News reports that the woman, who was in her 40s, was struck on Erie's west side just after 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Erie County coroner Korac Timon said investigators determined after interviewing the train engineer and conductor that the woman was out of her motorized wheelchair and laying on the tracks.

He said it's unclear whether she fell from her chair or "got there on purpose" before she was struck by the westbound train.

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Timon said the woman could not be identified immediately because of "massive blunt force head trauma." The crumpled remains of the wheelchair were found about 150 feet from the body.

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