Middletown man fatally struck by train while walking near railroad tracks

A 33-year-old Middletown man lost his life Monday morning when he was struck and killed by a train, according to Middletown police.

Andrew Smith was walking along the tracks at Waneta Street near Oenka Avenue when he was killed, according to Lt. Malcolm Tipton. He said the incident remains under investigation, but no foul play was suspected.

The incident happened about 8 a.m. on the tracks and the train blocked crossings in the area at Oxford State and Yankee Road for about 90 minutes.

The Butler County Coroner’s Office removed the body from a wooded area near the tracks. No results of the autopsy were released Monday.

According to city officials, the initial call indicated the person was struck near the Waneta Street and Yankee Road intersection.

There were 18 pedestrian fatalities on Ohio railroads last year, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

There were 35 trespass incidents in Ohio occurring along rail lines at locations other than grade crossings, resulting in 15 deaths and 20 injuries, according to the Department of Transportation.

There also were five incidents during which a pedestrian was struck at a highway-rail grade crossing in Ohio, resulting in three deaths and one injury.

Anyone with further information about the incident is encouraged to call the Middletown Police Dispatch Center at 513-425-7700.