(The following story by Terri Sanginiti appeared on The (Delaware) News Journal website on April 13.)
WILMINGTON, Del. — A 44-year-old railroad worker slipped on tracks in Wilmington’s rail yards Tuesday morning, and a train severed one of his feet and badly injured the other.
Wilmington police spokesman Master Sgt. William Wells said the man, who lives in Richlandtown, Pa., near Allentown, told officers that a Norfolk Southern train rain over the brakeman’s feet about 7 a.m. in the 1200 block of Railcar Ave.
Wells said the man, whom he declined to identify, works for Norfolk Southern. Company spokesman Rudy Husband said the brakeman was working with a yard crew at the Edgemoor yards.
“He was working in the yard tying a hand brake on a rail car,” Husband said. “The next thing, he was on the radio saying he was in trouble.”
New Castle County paramedics spokeswoman Cpl. Kelli Starr-Leach said paramedics treated the brakeman at the rail yard for a complete amputation of his left foot and a partial amputation of his right foot, which was crushed.
He was admitted to Christiana Hospital in serious condition.