RCMP hope video in train collision sheds light on pedestrian’s death

Mounties are waiting to review video footage to learn what led to a woman being struck and killed by a train while walking along the railroad tracks in Cochrane on Thursday evening.

The Cochrane woman, who police have confirmed was 18 and not in her mid-20s as initially reported, was hit just before 6 p.m. near River Avenue near the RCMP station in the town’s east end.

Sgt. Darleen White said headphones were discovered at the collision site, but it’s not known whether the teen was wearing them at the time. Police are still working to determine whether she was distracted or didn’t hear or see the train.

At this time, there is nothing to indicate that drugs or alcohol were factors, she added.

“There is video from the train. We weren’t able to view it last night,” White said, citing technical issues, adding she hopes the footage will help investigators shed light on what happened.

Police say officers at the Cochrane detachment heard the train sound its horn for an extended period of time, and went outside to investigate.

Soon after, the Canadian Pacific Railway sent a tweet indicating that one of their trains “made contact with a trespasser.”

A spokesperson for the company said the crew tried to get the woman’s attention using the train’s horn, and also applied the emergency brake, but was unable to stop in time. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Family have been notified but her name has not been released.

The crash caused significant delays for those commuting home through downtown Cochrane, although the crossings were eventually reopened around 7:30 p.m.

The investigation continues.