NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - A train accident on Tuesday resulted in the death of a North Adams man.

What You Need To Know

  • Two people have been killed in North Adams at the train tracks in the past few months

  • A North Adams man passed on Tuesday after being struck 

  • The tracks are used as a shortcut daily

  • Some think signs should be posted as warnings

According to the District Attorney's Office, Tuesday's incident occurred on the tracks approximately between the American Legion (91 American Legion Drive) and the Brien Center (124 American Legion Drive).

This is the second death this year on these tracks. 

Randy Wood who works near the tracks tells us he is surprised more accidents don’t happen as people cross every day.

“There’s got to be at least 200 or more people that cross through this path right here every day," Wood said. "Cause a lot of them live on that side of the tracks and don’t have a mobile or something, so they come through this way and going to stores and what have you. Oh yeah, hundreds a day."

Wood was working on Tuesday when he heard the tragic incident.

“I heard the train whistle usually it’s a quick ‘toot toot’ if they come through the tunnel, but this was a long sustained 15-second horn, which I thought was strange, " Wood said. "But all of a sudden I looked down the train had stopped and within minutes the police and fire department were all in the parking lot."

Wood believes there should be signs warning people not to cross the tracks.

“I would think there should be at least some more signage or something like that to warn people of that.”

A spokesperson for Berkshire & Eastern Railroad, who operates the trains over the tracks, say their thoughts are with their loved ones at this difficult time. They also say:

“We implore community members to remember that, unlike passenger trains, freight trains do not operate on any set schedule and can come from any direction at any time of day. Depending on speed and consist, it can take up to a mile for a train to come to a complete stop once emergency brakes are activated.” 

Spectrum News 1 reached out to Mayor Macksey’s office and the police department about the crossing issue, but neither were available to comment.