A person was recently killed by train in the City of Lake Worth.

Below is a reminder about public safety, trains and FEC train tracks: “See Tracks? THINK TRAIN!”

The Palm Beach Post gave the wrong location for this tragic incident: a person was struck and killed by a train on the Florida East Coast (FEC) railroad tracks. The Post reported this incident happened in the Town of Lantana. That information is wrong.

Here is the news from reporter Wayne K. Roustan at the Sun Sentinel:


An unidentified person was struck by a train Friday night on the Florida East Coast tracks in Lake Worth.

     The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fatality, which took place about 10:15 p.m. on the railroad tracks along South Dixie Highway near Washington Avenue, according to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.

and. . .

     Railroad officials repeatedly advise the public that walking along or across the tracks anywhere other than designated crossings is trespassing and against the law.


NBC5 (WPTV) also reported this incident occurred in the City of Lake Worth. According to the Post the Lantana PD, “[H]ave not publicly identified the person.” PBSO provides law enforcement to the City of Lake Worth so possibly this area in southern Lake Worth and northern Lantana has a multi-layer law enforcement presence.

And please note: The City of Lake Worth and the towns of Lantana and Hypoluxo have Quiet Zones. However, train engineers have complete authority to sound the horn at any time.

Please share this very important news (see below) as reported in The Lake Worth Herald.

The Towns of Lantana and Hypoluxo enacted Quiet Zones. A Quiet Zone is a designation that allows train operators to pass through crossings without sounding their horns along the Florida East Coast Railway tracks.
     However, if there is an emergency situation, the train engineer has complete authority to sound the horn. The public should be vigilant near the tracks.
     If you see tracks look both ways for a train. Never cross the tracks when the lights are on nor when the arms are coming down or in the down position.


If you do happen to hear a train horn that is because the train engineer has an emergency situation or to warn workers on the tracks. It is of utmost importance that everyone stay alert and obey the barriers, warnings, and signals of an approaching train. Trains can approach crossings from both directions within moments!

Wait until the red lights stop flashing and the cross arms go up. It is illegal and highly dangerous to trespass on rail tracks. Train speed and distance is deceptive and without the horn a train is extremely quiet which can lead to tragic and deadly incidents when anyone tries to “beat the train” on foot or in a vehicle. Brightline trains can reach speeds up to 79 mph (127 kph).

  Getting this information out to our non-English speaking communities is especially important (Spanish and Creole).

The message always is:
“See Tracks? THINK TRAIN!”

For further information about Railroad Safety in English, Spanish and Creole click on this link.

Spanish:
“¿Ves rieles? ¡PIENSA TREN!”

Below is a very important press release
from the City of Lake Worth.

Creole:
“Lè w wè ray tren? SONJE TREN AN!”

To become a volunteer for Operation Lifesaver
click on this link.

Remember: The message is always:

“See Tracks? THINK TRAIN!”