One person dead after being hit by train in downtown Huntsville

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. ( WHNT ) — Authorities say one person is dead after being hit by a train in downtown Huntsville on Sunday.

HEMSI spokesperson Don Webster told News 19 the call came in around 2:23 p.m. about an incident in the area of Cleveland Avenue near the Church Street Northwest and Dallas Avenue Northwest intersection.

Webster said one person was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Huntsville Police Department (HPD) spokesperson confirmed a person was hit by a train on Cleveland Avenue.

Sunday’s train collision in downtown Huntsville is the second time a person was killed by a train near the Church Street area since February of last year.

Nearby residents, like Belinda Stapler, told News 19’s Darryl Burke they knew something had gone wrong when they saw first responders on the scene with the train at a complete stop.

“It scared me to death. I said I hope nobody died, I said I hope they’re okay,” Stapler said.

Officials closed the road down as HPD spent hours investigating the scene. Stapler says her heart aches for the person’s loved ones.

“It’s so sad. It’s going to be so tragic for them, it’s going to be so hurtful. I feel sorry for that family,” Stapler said.

Following Sunday’s tragedy, Stapler is reminding people about the importance of cherishing their lives, adding everything can be taken away instantly.

“Please be safe and watch where you’re going. Pray and thank God for what you got,” she told News 19.

HPD said this is an ongoing investigation, and the identity of the victim has not yet been released.

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