Bicyclist killed in SunRail train crash, troopers say

Crash happened near Lancaster Road, Orange Avenue

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A bicyclist died Thursday evening after he was hit by a SunRail train in Orange County, according to troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol.

FHP Lt. Kim Montes said the cyclist was struck just before 6 p.m. on the tracks near Lancaster Road and Orange Avenue. Montes said the victim was a man, but did not identify him pending next of kin.

Troopers said it remains under investigation if the bicyclist went around the arm bars at the intersection.

The cyclist died on scene.

Saul Urena, who was driving by the scene on his way home from work, said he saw the train and bicyclist collide.

"He tried to back up and he couldn't back up in time," Urena said. "His head was in front of his handle bars, and then all of a sudden, the train just came, and that was that."

The Orlando man said he could here bells ringing, but it didn't stop what he saw next.

"It was just a loud, almost like an explosion of the impact because it hit him. The train just hit him,” Urena said.

The fatal crash marks the second in 10 days involving the commuter rail.

A pedestrian was killed Feb. 18 near East Oak Ridge Road and South Orange Avenue, according to Orange County Fire Rescue.

Urena said he tried to help, but it was too late.

"I jumped out of my car as soon as the arms went up," Urena said. "I tried to go and help and see where he was at, and he was just in a ditch about 100 feet away."

No other information about the crash was released.

 


Recommended Videos