LITHIA SPRINGS, Ga. — Neighbors in a local community have a warning after trains have hit and killed two people there in the past 10 days
The tracks run along Temple Street in Lithia Springs. Both crossings in the area are marked.
Channel 2’s Carl Willis spoke with neighbors Tuesday night who say they see people walking on the tracks all the time.
"Two in such a short amount of time? You hear about that happening every once in a while but to have two in a matter of 10 days," neighbor Danny Wine told Willis.
They say the issue is with pedestrians not having a safe alternative in the area.
Willis saw a cyclist pick up his bike and cross the tracks just moments after a freight train passed.
"We do have a lot of walkers and this is sort of cut-through street and cars come down here pretty fast,” Wine said.
“I think we need sidewalks over here personally, just a place for people to be able to walk. A lot of people that walk over in this area and don't have cars,” neighbor Michael Gerring told Willis.
Willis contacted Norfolk Southern about the incident last Tuesday that's still under investigation and the one days earlier where alcohol is believed to be involved.
They say both victims were illegally trespassing when they were hit by Amtrak passenger trains.
In a statement they wrote:
"The No. 1 safety precaution everyone can take is to stay off railroad property. These types of tragedies are needless and easily prevented."
For now, neighbors say they are hearing the trains a lot earlier than in weeks past.
“Used to just hear them right up on you," Gerring told Willis.
"As far as getting across the tracks, I don't know what the solution is there," Wine said.
Norfolk Southern said it’s simple: Railroad tracks are privately owned and not public parkland, and the only safe place to for pedestrians to walk is at the designated crossing.
Cox Media Group
