Middletown train death ruled accidental

Thomas Pennington, of Middletown, was stuck and killed by a train while he was walking on the tracks near Wildwood Road and Manchester Avenue Sunday night, June 3, according to police. RICK McCRABB/STAFF

Thomas Pennington, of Middletown, was stuck and killed by a train while he was walking on the tracks near Wildwood Road and Manchester Avenue Sunday night, June 3, according to police. RICK McCRABB/STAFF

A Middletown man died from major traumatic injuries after he was hit by a train Sunday night, according to the Butler County Coroner’s Office.

The cause of the death for Thomas Pennington, 35, of Roosevelt Boulevard, was accidental, officials said today after an autopsy was performed.

MORE: Mother of man struck by train thought knock on door was son who forgot his key. Then she learned the terrible truth.

When police arrived on the scene Sunday, Pennington’s body was lying on the east side of the railroad tracks just south of Manchester Avenue. The conductor told police he sounded the horn multiple times, but Pennington continued walking on the tracks.

Pennington’s back was to the train, according to the conductor.

The conductor activated the emergency brakes as the train got closer to Pennington. The train was traveling about 37 mph, according to the conductor.

FIRST REPORT: Middletown man walking along tracks before being struck, killed by train

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