PF&R Responds To Pedestrian Struck By Freight Train
- 01/15/26
PF&R responds to pedestrian struck by freight train
At just before 7 PM Portland Fire & Rescue responded to reports of a freight train striking a pedestrian alongside the Union Pacific railroad tracks in the NE Portland Wilkes Neighborhood. Union Pacific officials connected with BOEC dispatchers to generate a response to the area of NE 158th and Rose Parkway which was the closest identifiable location to the possible incident. Initially the incident was categorized as a railway derailment but was quickly confirmed to be a pedestrian struck reducing the response by nearly 50%. Reports from the train conductor of the eastbound train were there was a belief someone was struck around the area of NE 158th but by the time the train was able to come to a stop, the locomotive was already 23-30 blocks to the east and there was no visible confirmation of a victim which makes location a challenge as the stopped train prevents the ability to safely access the opposite side of the tracks for responders and vehicular travel is very limited along this section of the railroad tracks forcing a hike from either the East or West.
Gresham Fire Engine 74 traveling westbound on I84 was the first response vehicle on scene followed by Portland Fire Engine 30. The victim was visible from I 84 lying on the south side of the railroad tracks and was seen moving indicating this was not a fatal event. Crews used a 24’ extension ladder to descend from the freeway the 12’-15’ to the level of the railroad tracks and made access to the patient, a houseless adult (mid-40’s – gender unknown) and performed appropriate medical care in this traumatic event. The victim complained primarily of hip pain leading to crews performing appropriate interventions for this and all other treatments given the mechanism of injury.
While medical interventions were taking place alongside the tracks, other crews on scene repositioned the ladder to the full 24’ extension providing for a very slight angle from the freeway down to the level of the railroad tracks. This permitted crews to use this ladder as a safe pathway up to the waiting AMR ambulance for transport to the hospital. Crews used the specifically designed low angle rope system as both a safety and assistance device to move the patient up the ladder along with members ensuring the backboard carrying the patient advanced in a slow, safe, controlled manner to the freeway. The patient was in critical condition and was entered into the trauma system, so the appropriate medical team was ready to properly treat the patient upon arrival at the medical facility.
Portland Fire would like to remind you that walking alongside an active railroad line is extremely dangerous and encourages everyone to refrain from such activities. Transit along sidewalks or properly designed safe walking paths is a far better option.
Portland Fire would like to thank the officials of Union Pacific, our partners at Gresham Fire, the dispatchers at BOEC, the transporting crew of AMR, and Portland Police for their assistance in this emergency incident.
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PF&R Responds To Pedestrian Struck By Freight Train
- 01/15/26
PF&R responds to pedestrian struck by freight train
At just before 7 PM Portland Fire & Rescue responded to reports of a freight train striking a pedestrian alongside the Union Pacific railroad tracks in the NE Portland Wilkes Neighborhood. Union Pacific officials connected with BOEC dispatchers to generate a response to the area of NE 158th and Rose Parkway which was the closest identifiable location to the possible incident. Initially the incident was categorized as a railway derailment but was quickly confirmed to be a pedestrian struck reducing the response by nearly 50%. Reports from the train conductor of the eastbound train were there was a belief someone was struck around the area of NE 158th but by the time the train was able to come to a stop, the locomotive was already 23-30 blocks to the east and there was no visible confirmation of a victim which makes location a challenge as the stopped train prevents the ability to safely access the opposite side of the tracks for responders and vehicular travel is very limited along this section of the railroad tracks forcing a hike from either the East or West.
Gresham Fire Engine 74 traveling westbound on I84 was the first response vehicle on scene followed by Portland Fire Engine 30. The victim was visible from I 84 lying on the south side of the railroad tracks and was seen moving indicating this was not a fatal event. Crews used a 24’ extension ladder to descend from the freeway the 12’-15’ to the level of the railroad tracks and made access to the patient, a houseless adult (mid-40’s – gender unknown) and performed appropriate medical care in this traumatic event. The victim complained primarily of hip pain leading to crews performing appropriate interventions for this and all other treatments given the mechanism of injury.
While medical interventions were taking place alongside the tracks, other crews on scene repositioned the ladder to the full 24’ extension providing for a very slight angle from the freeway down to the level of the railroad tracks. This permitted crews to use this ladder as a safe pathway up to the waiting AMR ambulance for transport to the hospital. Crews used the specifically designed low angle rope system as both a safety and assistance device to move the patient up the ladder along with members ensuring the backboard carrying the patient advanced in a slow, safe, controlled manner to the freeway. The patient was in critical condition and was entered into the trauma system, so the appropriate medical team was ready to properly treat the patient upon arrival at the medical facility.
Portland Fire would like to remind you that walking alongside an active railroad line is extremely dangerous and encourages everyone to refrain from such activities. Transit along sidewalks or properly designed safe walking paths is a far better option.
Portland Fire would like to thank the officials of Union Pacific, our partners at Gresham Fire, the dispatchers at BOEC, the transporting crew of AMR, and Portland Police for their assistance in this emergency incident.
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