http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/63611-08-05-06.html

Saturday, August 5, 2006

Man dies after slipping under freight train in Belen rail yard


Clara Garcia News-Bulletin Staff Writer; cgarcia@news-bulletin.com

Belen A man who police believe tried to jump onto a freight train in the BNSF rail yard in Belen on Wednesday was found dead minutes after the train pulled away.

Valencia County Deputy Ed Chavez said the man, who is only described as in his mid-30s, appeared to have been attempting to board an eastbound freight train just before his death. He is believed to be a Mexican national.

"During his attempt, he must have slipped underneath the train," Chavez said. "After the train left the area, an employee had just happened to come by and discovered it, most likely within minutes after it happened."

According to Chavez, the conductor reported not hearing or seeing anything odd or suspicious while the train was leaving the Belen rail yard. When police and paramedics arrived on the scene, it was clear that the man had immediately died following the fall.

"We don't know for sure what happened, but it appears at this point that there was no foul play involved," Chavez said. "When authorities arrived, they found that the man had been separated into two parts."

Chavez said the sheriff's department is currently working with other law enforcement agencies in and out of the state trying to confirm the dead man's identity. The deputy said he doesn't believe that the man is from Valencia County.