The two pedestrians killed by trains in separate incidents earlier this week in Kent were most likely suicides.
A 55-year-old SeaTac man died at about 4:03 p.m. Wednesday after he was hit by a southbound Sounder (Sound Transit) commuter train on the BNSF Railway tracks at South 212th Street and 77th Avenue South.
A 20-year-old Seattle man died after he was hit by a southbound Amtrak train at about 7:50 a.m. Tuesday on the BNSF Railway tracks near First Avenue South and West Willis Street.
Preliminary evidence strongly suggests these tragic events were most likely suicides, Kent Police said in a Thursday news release. Police have worked with BNSF Railway investigators to determine the cause of the two fatal collisions.
Investigators used witness accounts to help determine the cause, Kent Police detective Melanie Robinson said in an email.
Both areas where the two men crossed have working and functional crossing arms to prevent vehicles and pedestrians from crossing the tracks, according to police. The tracks are also posted with no trespassing signs.
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office on Thursday ruled the death of the SeaTac man as a suicide. The office has not yet issued a ruling on the death of the Seattle man.
Crisis hotline
People looking for help can call the 24/7 Crisis Clinic Hotline at 866-427-4747. The agency provides immediate help to individuals, families and friends of people in emotional crisis. They can help determine if you or your loved one needs professional consultation and can link you to the appropriate services. It is the primary source for linking Seattle-King County residents to emergency mental health services.
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