Man, woman killed by train near Tofield

Pair was standing on tracks, but police don’t know why

A man and woman are dead after they were struck by a Canadian National train near Tofield, RCMP say.

Late Tuesday, police were called to the railway crossing 13 kilometres northwest of Tofield at Range Road 201 just north of Township Road 512.

A 65-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman were standing on the tracks when they were struck by a westbound train around 11:15 p.m., said Sgt. Jim Warren of Tofield RCMP.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman suffered critical injuries and was taken by STARS air ambulance to University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Police have not yet determined where the victims lived, and Warren said notification of next of kin is underway. Their identities were not released, but Warren said they were related and shared the same surname.

There was “no explanation of where or why they were there, or how they got there,” Warren said, adding police did not find a vehicle nearby.

“What these people’s intent was, I don’t think we’ll ever know.”

The railway crossing is not controlled with bells.

“But because it’s an unmarked crossing, (the crew) have to sound the horn,” he said. “The trains are big and powerful and they cannot stop quickly. These gentlemen (on the train) did try to get it to stop.” CN spokesman Warren Chandler said the company will provide support and counselling options to the crew.

“This is a tragedy for everyone involved and that includes our crew members, who were unable to stop,” Chandler said. “It’s a sad reminder that people should not be on the tracks.”

The investigation continues.