Three train-related incidents in Salem over seven days, including one that killed a woman, prompted the Salem Police Department to issue a safety warning about railroad crossings and tracks.
The most recent incident happened Monday, Oct. 5, when a train struck a shopping cart being pushed across tracks in central Salem at approximately 10:19 a.m. The pedestrian was not hit or injured, according to Salem Police. Center Street at 12th Street NE and Marion Street at 13th Street NE closed for about two hours while Union Pacific crews cleared the scene, reopening around 12:15 p.m., the Statesman Journal reported.
That was the third such incident in a week.
On Tuesday, Sept. 29, a woman was struck and killed by a train near 14th Street SE and Leslie Street SE, a short distance south of the Salem Amtrak station. Salem Police officers and Salem Fire personnel were dispatched just before 8 a.m. The woman was taken to Salem Health Emergency Department, where she died. Union Pacific Railroad, which owns the tracks in that area, confirmed the incident did not occur at a railroad crossing, KGW reported.
The following day, Wednesday, Sept. 30, a car became stuck on the tracks at Front Street and Norway Street NE at approximately 5:12 a.m. The owner called 911 but could not move the vehicle before a train approached. The train struck the car at low speed, according to Salem Police. No one was inside. Multiple streets between Front Street and Maple Avenue NE were closed until about 8 a.m.
After the three incidents, Salem Police urged residents to follow four safety rules: always stop when railway crossing lights flash or gates are down, never go around lowered gates, never walk on or along the tracks, and always look and listen for trains.
The department posted a traffic advisory on X on the morning of the Sept. 29 fatality, noting that Hines Street and McGilchrist Avenue SE were closed for the investigation.
The identity of the woman killed Sept. 29 has not been released. Salem Police have not announced any additional enforcement actions or community meetings in connection with the incidents.
