(The following story was circulated by the Associated Press on October 4, 2010.)
ANOKA, Minn. (AP) — The Anoka County sheriff’s office now says a railroad worker who was struck and killed by a Northstar commuter train last month was not on his cell phone as originally reported.
Fifty-3-year-old Andrew Weaver of Fridley was a veteran Burlington Northern Santa Fe employee. Weaver was killed Sept. 1 in Coon Rapids when he stepped out behind a small test train and into the path of a commuter train traveling about 80 mph.
Anoka County sheriff’s Sgt. Paul Lenzmeier says investigators are backing off their initial statement that Weaver was on his phone, after studying video footage of the accident.
Minnesota Public Radio News reports Lenzmeier says Weaver’s cell phone was not in his hand at the time.
Weaver’s family says Sheriff Bruce Andersohn apologized Monday for the initial press release with the incorrect information.