(The following story by Mike Nowatzki appeared on The Forum website on September 17.)
FARGO, N.D. — A Boston man who wanted his picture taken next to a moving train got a little too close and suffered a “bad case of train rash” but no serious injuries Tuesday, Fargo police said.
According to Sgt. Jeff Skuza: The man and two friends were staying in Fargo for an area conference.
They were walking south on Fourth Street to the Main Avenue Fryn’ Pan restaurant when they stopped to take a picture of the man with the moving train in the background.
They went around the safety gates, and the man stood with his back to the train.
“He thought it’d be a better shot if he got a little bit closer,” Skuza said. The man took a step backward and stumbled slightly, and the train caught his back, ripping his shirt and pants.
He was able to walk to the Radisson Hotel, where he was staying. Police were called at 2:15 a.m. to the hotel.
The man, who is 34 years old according to the dispatch log, was taken to MeritCare Hospital, where he was treated and released.
“He has a bad case of train rash,” Skuza said.
Alcohol was a factor in the incident, he said.
The man is lucky his injuries weren’t more serious, Skuza said.
“Folks need to remember not to go around those gates.”
The man’s name was not immediately available.