RODERFIELD, W.Va. — A man is dead and a woman in critical condition after encountering a Norfolk Southern train late Thursday night near the McDowell County community of Roderfield.
Norfolk Southern said the two along with another man were on a railroad bridge close to the Roderfield tunnel when the company’s mixed freight train traveling from Ohio to Georgia came through the area at about 11:30 p.m.
State Police said Kenneth Niece, 20, of Roderfield, was hit and killed, the woman, 24, fell 60-feet from the bridge and is in critical condition at Welch Community Hospital. Troopers said a second man, 29, jumped and was walking around at the scene. He was taken to the hospital but did not suffer serious injuries.
The three were apparently on the tracks taking a shortcut. Their names have not been released.