A 24-year-old London man is dead and a woman is in hospital in serious condition following a train and bike collision in the downtown area.
William Seeley, 24, of London was pronounced dead at the scene and a 29-year-old female was taken to hospital where she remains in serious condition.
London police were called to the crash at York Street and Colborne Street shortly after 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Investigators say both Seeley and the female were struck by a westbound train. Seeley was on a bicycle, but the woman was not.
Witnesses tell CTV News the pair was trying to cross the tracks after one train had passed when they were struck by a train travelling in the opposite direction.
At the time the crossing arms were still down and the lights were still flashing.
John Schwartzentruber was out walking his dog when he spotted the couple heading toward the crossing, with the woman riding on a rack at the back of the bike.
He says it was shocking to watch the tragedy unfold and was first to reach the couple.
“I did take the girl’s pulse, she did have a pulse. I went to check the guy’s pulse, but no pulse.”
Cyclist Taran Morrison arrived at the scene shortly after the collision happened and admits it is making him rethink his actions at rail crossings.
“I’ve made the decision before, I’ve made stupid decisions where I was going to run, and I have run the track and thought, ‘Man, why did I do that? You know, that was stupid.’”
London police Const. Alanna Hollywood is reminding cyclists and pedestrians to be safe around train tracks.
“Caution should always be used around train tracks, especially if the arms are down the lights are flashing. Obviously citizens shouldn’t attempt to cross the tracks and in the case where there’s more than one set of tracks citizens should always be aware that there may be more than one train crossing at the time.”
Foul play is not suspected in the incident, according to police, but the investigation is ongoing.