VRE Train Hits, Kills Man on Manassas Line
Riders are encouraged to seek alternate transportation.
Update, Oct. 12: Officials said that a man stepped onto the train track with his back towards the train.
4:45 p.m.: VRE Train 325—the train involved in the striking incident—was allowed to continue on to Manassas Park and other stops south of the incident.
4:09 p.m.: Roeber told Patch that VRE would like to move the train that is stopped on the tracks after Burke Centre station (325) down the line to Manassas Park but is waiting to hear from an incident commander from Fairfax County Police.
A train is waiting in Clifton after departing from the Manassas Park station to pull up alongside 325 and transfer passenger to it if the first scenario is not possible, Roeber told Patch.
Roeber said 327, 331, 333 are canceled. Routes 329, 335, 337 will run to Burke Centre station where service will be terminated.
3:45 p.m. Update: Return VRE Trains 336 and 339 are also canceled, according to VRE officials.
3:33 p.m. Update: One adult male was found dead on the railroad tracks, Fairfax County Public Information Officer Shelley Broderick said.
3:28 p.m. Update: Potomac Rappahannock Transit Commission buses are honoring VRE tickets for buses from West Falls Church to Manassas, according to VRE.
3:16 p.m. Update: VRE officials said nine buses are waiting for VRE Train 329 passengers. Buses will transport riders to the Manassas Park stop where a train will be stationed to drop off riders south of that point.
3:02 p.m. Update: Virginia Railway Express officials can't confirm if the person struck by VRE Train 325 died of his or her injuries. Buses are on the way to pick up the 200 passengers on the train and transport them to their destinations, VRE Spokesman Mark Roeber said. The buses should arrive by 3:30 p.m.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue are on the scene as are VRE staff, he added.
Original Post:
VRE Train 325 has stopped between Burke Centre and Manassas Park stations reportedly due to a "trespasser that has been struck," according to VRE.
VRE posted on its website, Facebook and Twitter page at 2:22 p.m. that the train stopped.
"At this time we recommend that all Manassas riders seek alternate transportation this evening. More information to come as the situation unfolds. Metro option is opened."
VRE trains 331 and 335 are canceled. The system is working to get buses to Burke. 327, 329, 333 and 337 will stop in Burke, buses will take riders to their final destination.
Fairfax County Police are responding to a call they received at 2:08 p.m. on the tracks near Ladues End Road in Fairfax Station, Lucy Caldwell, public information officer for the Fairfax County Police Department, told Patch. Further information was not immediately available.
Patch will update as more information becomes available.
Derrick Welsh
2:52 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
**Fairfax County**
Box : 3215
Channel : 4 Delta
Call : Subject Struck by VRE Train
Location : Tracks Underneath Fairfax County Parkway
Units : E432, E416, FE403, R414, M432, M435, EMS407, BC407, SAF401, DCFO
Update : Fairfax County Fire Advises 1 Subject DOA, Requesting Fairfax County P.D. to the Scene, Train shutdown in Both Directions.
Time : 14:22
Kismet May
2:59 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
This person will be in my prayers. Is any part of Manassas Drive closed due to this?
Derrick Welsh
3:05 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
No Kismet.
Incident Location is Underneath Fairfax County Parkway
All Trains Shutdown this Evening
Buses En-Route for the Removal Of ALL Train Passengers
Hold with Engine 432, 416, 403, Rescue Squad 414, Medic 432, and Battalion 407
Jamie M. Rogers
3:10 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Derrick,
I'm not sure if that's accurate. The VRE spokesman just told me that the 325 passengers will be removed and some of other trains WILL run as far as Burke and from there, the passengers will be transported by bus.
jminthepark
3:12 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
This is old info--VRE has changed the cancelled trains. "official: trains cancelled will be 327, 331 and 333. Trains running will be 329, 335 and 337."
Lauren Jost
3:36 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Jeri,
You're correct. The canceled trains are: 336, 338, 327, 331 and 333.
Derrick Welsh
3:14 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Jamie, Ive just heard the update from Fairfax County Fire, and they spoke with the VRE Spokesman, and it sounds like VRE just told Fairfax Fire the same thing you just replied back with...Thanks Jamie for the Great Work.. and Im glad Im able to help out with fire / rescue calls to you guys...Hope all is Well at Patch. -Derrick-
Jamie M. Rogers
3:24 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Hey Derrick!'
Thanks so much for keeping us posted!
Rob Jones
4:01 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
The train is sitting along Fairfax Station Road just under the overpass of the Fairfax County Parkway in Fairfax County. Lots of emergency equipment also sits along Fairfax Station Road. So the train is currently located between Burke and the Town of Clifton.