(The Shamokin News Item posted the following article on its website on April 24.)
SUNBURY, Pa. — A 41-year-old Selinsgrove man was charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct after he kneeled on railroad tracks near Race and Third streets, causing an oncoming train to abuptly stop.
Sunbury police said Gerald Sheldon was committed to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, for psychiatric evaluation following the episode.
Police said the engineer of a Norfolk Southern train was traveling northbound when he approached the Market Street intersection and saw a red object on the tracks. The engineer activated the audible warning devices, but the object did not move.
The engineer was able to successfully stop about 100 yards from what was, in fact, a person, that being Sheldon.
As Sheldon was being taken into custody by police, he continued to kneel on the railroad tracks in a praying position.
Police said he was wearing a red coat, which helped the engineer detect him in enough time to stop the train.