BRIEF: Train kills Sinking Spring man in borough 

BRIEF: Train kills Sinking Spring man in borough

Nov 15, 2012 (Menafn - Reading Eagle - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --A Sinking Spring man was killed Wednesday morning when he was struck by a Norfolk Southern freight train in the borough, officials said.

Randolph P. Raihl, 23, tried to walk across the tracks at the Hull Street crossing on his way to work about 6:45 when he was struck by the eastbound, 40-car train, said Mike Fizz, chief of the Berks County coroner's office.

"Witnesses said he tried to make it across the tracks," Fizz said. "There was nothing to indicate it was anything other than an accident."

Raihl was pronounced dead at the scene about 7:41 a.m. by Deputy Coroner Matt Mears.

The death was ruled an accident.

Police Chief Lee Schweyer said the accident is still under investigation by borough police and Norfolk Southern police.

Borough police planned to review video footage from cameras mounted on the locomotives, Schweyer said

After hitting Raihl, the locomotives stopped near Route 724.

Freight cars stretched the length of the borough, blocking crossings at Hull Street, Columbia Avenue and Woodrow Avenue.

The train began moving again about 10:30 and the railroad crossings were reopened about noon, Schweyer said.

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