Questions remain after passenger’s electrocution death

Man came in contact with wires on top of rail car

Officials are sorting out the strange case of a man who somehow climbed on top of a MetroNorth train on the New Haven Line and died after being electrocuted late Wednesday night.

Around 11:30 p.m., a NewHaven bound train was stopped between Larchmont and Mamar- oneck stations in New York because of a power problem, MetroNorth said.

A preliminary investigation showed a man — later identified as 24-year-old Michael Vigeant, of Hudson, N.H. — tried to get on top of the train and came in contact with catenary wires, MetroNorth said. Catenary wires are also known as overhead lines on a train’s electrification system.

Vigeant was found by a crew member on the train. He was transported to a local hospital, where he died, Metro-North said.

“Our sympathies go to the family during this very difficult time,” said Metro-North spokeswoman Nancy Gamerman. “The incident is under investigation and we will release further information when it is available.”

According to a story in The Dan- bury Daily Voice, an online newspaper, Vigeant had climbed on top of the train with his older brother.

Trains on the New Haven line experienced delays ranging from 30 to 55 minutes until about 3:20 a.m. Thursday.

Though the details of what happened are still coming to light, Metro-North said, the man’s death drives home the potentially deadly risks of trying to climb up and ride on top of a rail car. And it has in the past.

On Nov. 9, 2014, Brian McClellen, a 21-year-old actor, was killed after he was riding on top of a Metro-North train.

The train was stopped in Greenwich after it lost power. McClellen was electrocuted and set on fire after a pantograph fell on him. The pantograph collects power through an overhead line.