Granite Falls resident hit by train in Hickory

Police say man was standing on tracks

By: Sarah Newell williamson | Hickory Daily Record
Published: May 29, 2009

HICKORY --

A man is in critical condition after being struck by a train Thursday afternoon.

Christopher Auton was standing on the train tracks by Sixth Street Place, SE, and Main Avenue when he was hit by a Norfolk Southern train at about 5:35 p.m., said Sgt. Robert George with the Hickory Police Department.

"The engineer saw him on the tracks and tried to stop, but couldn't," George said. "It was a direct impact."

George said the engineer also blew the train's horn.

According to witness reports, the impact threw Auton's body into the air and to the side of the tracks, George said. He said witnesses also reported Auton had his back to the 45-car train when it was coming down the tracks.

Auton was taken to Frye Regional Medical Center for internal lacerations and broken bones. George said authorities wanted to transfer him to another hospital, but were unable to get Auton into stable condition, so doctors conducted surgery at Frye.

Auton, who is in his 30s, lives in Granite Falls but was temporarily staying in Hickory.

Hickory police and Norfolk Southern Railroad are investigating the accident.