Photographer killed by freight train

According to the Skamania County Sheriff's Office (SCSO), the victim pulled his car off State Route 14 and parked next to the tracks across from Cook-Underwood Road at approximately 4 p.m. He stopped on the tracks to take photographs, and apparently did not hear or see a Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) freight train coming.

SCSO Undersheriff Dave Cox said Mickschultz was killed instantly.

"It's pretty tragic. He was taking a photo of Mt. Hood from the tracks," Cox said. "Why in the world he stood in the middle of the tracks, I have no clue. It's just really sad."

The spot where Mickschultz was hit was on a relatively straight and open stretch of track.

Gus Melonas, BNSF's regional director of corporate relations, said the intermodal train was on its way from St. Paul, Minn., to Portland when the accident happened.

According to Melonas, the crew was blowing the train's whistle, and the victim's friend was yelling that a train was coming.

"Apparently he didn't hear, and was struck. It's unfortunate for all of us involved," Melonas said.

Cox pointed out that people tend to believe that trains will be very loud as they approach, but that's not always the case.

"I've been down on the tracks before during searches, and sometimes you can't hear them coming. Especially if the wind is blowing just right, you can't hear them," he explained.

BNSF has "no trespassing" signs posted near the site where Mickschultz was killed, as well as signs that specifically warn of trains approaching at high speed.

"I know Burlington Northern is pretty frustrated about it. We've had several meetings with them," Cox said.

Cox added that there have been three other train-pedestrian fatalities in almost the same spot in recent years.

He also pointed out that every Fourth of July he has observed people trespassing along that stretch of track to get a clear view of Hood River's fireworks display.

"They actually go out there and sit on the tracks. I don't know how to get across to people that tracks are not the place to be," he said.

Melonas said there have been 77 train-pedestrian fatalities in the state of Washington over the past five years. He added that BNSF will soon launch a new safety campaign to teach people about the dangers of trespassing on tracks.

"BNSF will be hosting an educational program soon," Melonas said. "We'll be talking to the high schools in Lyle and White Salmon in the near future to address safety. Our message to the public is, expect a train on any track, at any time, in any direction. With the recreational activities the Gorge offers, this can be a special problem. We are asking the public to exercise safety at all times."

According to statistics supplied by Union Pacific Railroad, hundreds of people were killed by trains last year.

"Last year, 540 people died while trespassing on railroad property throughout the United States," said Dennis Jenson, general director of police operations for Union Pacific. "Trespassers sometimes are killed because they are not expecting a train to come along. Walking on the railroad right of way is dangerous and against the law."

Jenson added that trespassers are subject to arrest for violating laws and possibly face jail time or fines.