Last update: June 03, 2006 – 9:01 PM Train kills two, hurts one in Bemidji Two people were killed and a third was injured after they were struck by a train late Friday in Bemidji, Minn., Bemidji authorities said.

Tom Ford, Star Tribune Two people were killed and a third was injured after they were struck by a train late Friday in Bemidji, Minn., Bemidji authorities said.

Killed in the accident near the city's downtown were a 25-year-old woman from Ponemah, Minn., and a 34-year-old man from Bemidji.

An ambulance took a 35-year-old Bemidji man to North Country Regional Hospital. His condition wasn't available Saturday afternoon.

The victims' names have not been released.

They were struck by an eastbound Burlington Northern train on tracks west of the Mississippi River Bridge.

The train's engineer told authorities that he saw at least three people on the tracks; two were seated and one was standing.

He applied the brakes -- the train was traveling about 30 miles per hour -- and blew the train's horn, but the people on the tracks only waved to him, according to authorities. He couldn't stop the train before the collision.

©2006 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.

also: http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=126305

Submitted on 06/03/2006

Submitted by: Sara N.
Reference: Minneapolis Star Tribune

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Good timing, Sara. We already have ONE grade crossing accident under consideration, and now THIS one! I really like it if only because the folks sitting on the tracks just sort of waved back as if the train was going to just take an imaginary track around them...or maybe they were WAITING for the train to stop and take them to La-La Land! Whatever the case, I vote DA all the way!

Greg said:
Maybe Toss: Other
I don't know - sounds like pre-empted suicide to me...

Jorge said:
Maybe Toss: Repeat
I agree with Greg

Jack said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
Could have been a suicide, but it also could have resulted from over indulging on some serious recreational chemicals..."Oh wow, dude! Check out the light show...!"

Fitzroy said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
It does come down to circumstances here, and that one press release seems to be the full extent of many outlets' coverage. If there was a suicidal motive that changes things. Otherwise, I do think this is a fine candidate, because few places are more wrong to just chill and hang out than on working railroad tracks.

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