Teen hit by train in Libby

The Western News

A BNSF Railway freight train struck and injured a teenage boy who was walking next to tracks in Libby.

BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas said the 16-year-old boy suffered broken bones in the incident and was airlifted to Kalispell Regional Medical Center. The boy and a 16-year-old female companion were “trespassing on the BNSF right-of-way” when he was struck at 6:10 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21, Melonas said. The female companion was not impacted.

Suffering traumatic leg injuries, the boy will likely have to undergo multiple surgeries but it is expected that his leg will be saved, according to Lincoln County Sheriff's Det. Jim Sweet.

The train was hauling grain and was westbound to Kalama, Wash., from Bernard, N.D.

The pair were walking westbound toward the train depot near the Haul Bridge approximately one-quarter mile from the Highway 37 overpass, said Sweet. They were walking in between the metal rails. The train was traveling behind the pair and “signaled with audible horns,” Sweet explained.

“They said they did hear the train,” he added.

The two stepped off the tracks from in between the rails on the Libby city side. The boy “got hooked by the step rail on the lead engine and the impact pitched him a ways,” Sweet said.

The boy was flung from the area of impact but it didn't appear he was dragged by the train, Sweet continued.

Train traffic was delayed for about one hour and 20 minutes, Melonas said.

The boy and girl could face misdemeanor charges of trespassing, Sweet said.

“We constantly get complaints from BNSF of kids crossing the tracks and goofing off around the tracks,” Sweet continued. “There have been lots of close calls.”

The names of the two individuals was not released and the investigation is ongoing.