Crime & Safety

Authorities Say Fatal Train Accident at Big Beaver, Adams was a Suicide

The 18-year-old Bloomfield Township resident died after being struck by the Amtrak train Saturday night.

The death of a young Bloomfield Township man who was stuck by a train in the area south of Big Beaver Road Saturday was ruled a suicide, according to the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office.

The incident remains under investigation by both the Bloomfield Township Police Department and authorities with Canadian National Railway, but police department's initial investigation shows the victim ran in front of an oncoming northbound Amtrak passenger train, Capt. Scott McCanham said Monday.

Authorities identified the man, who died at the scene, but are not releasing his name at the request of his family, McCanham said.

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Officers and Bloomfield Township firefighters responded to the tracks in the area of Kensington Road and Iron Gate Road and found the man's body. The train stopped and nearly a dozen passengers were unloaded while authorities began their investigation. No one on board was injured.

McCanham said the man was alone at the time, and that the train appeared to be moving at normal speeds.

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"There was no wrongdoing by the train operator and it was traveling within the allowed speed limit in that area," he said. "The department's hearts and prayers go out to the family and our thoughts are with them during this tragedy."

Though it runs through the township, the railroad property is owned and maintained by Canadian National Railway. The area is fenced off for safety, but McCanham said there are access points for maintenance workers that can be accessed on foot.

If you need immediate help with depression or suicidal thoughts, or you know someone who does, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Help is available at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK; Common Ground Mental Health and Crisis Intervention at 800-231-1127; and at Samaritan Counseling Center at 248-474-4701.


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