An MBTA commuter rail train struck a person on the tracks late Monday night, the latest in a growing number of tragic incidents along the rail corridor.
Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan said the victim intentionally stepped in the path of the oncoming train. He said Transit Police would have no other comment about the incident.
Social media posts from overnight show police blocking off the Pine Street grade crossing in North Abington overnight. Service resumed in time for the morning committee Tuesday.
Fire Chief Jack Glynn referred questions about the incident to the Transit Police. He said he is “concerned” about the number of train-related incidents in the area.
Randolph Police Sgt. Scott Sherman was struck by a train while crossing the tracks on foot at North Street on March 16. A woman in her car was struck in December after her vehicle stopped on the tracks. An Abington High School senior was hit and killed while crossing the tracks at Birch Street in May 2022. A person walking along the tracks was struck and killed near the Plymouth Street crossing in August 2022. And a 19 year old was killed at the Birch Street crossing in April 2023 when he stopped his vehicle on the tracks.
A study commissioned by the town in 2023 found that there has been more than 30 incidents involving trains striking people or vehicles since Old Colony Line service was restored in 1997. Of those incidents, 21 have happened in Abington, and 12 have taken place along a 200-yard stretch between North Avenue and Birch Street. Three people have been killed in accidents at the Pine Street grade crossing, including 15-year-old Kelly Ann Boyd in 1998.
Select Board Chairman Kevin Donovan said he has already been in touch with MBTA leadership to meet regarding the growing number of incidents.
“Clearly, Abington continues to experience an inordinate amount of incidents,” Donovan said. “I realize we have seven crossings the same amount as the Town of Kingston where I served as town administrator. Kingston has had one fatality since the Old Colony Line was reactivated in 1997. The MBTA has worked closely with the Town to prioritize safety and upgrade safety apparatus at all locations but we still wish to explore further these questions.”
The rail line’s safety measures — flashing lights, descending traffic gates, ringing bells — have all been functional during the incidents. The town’s 2023 study also found the grade crossings in town largely met federal minimum safety standards. Federal law does allow rail companies such as the MBTA to put enhanced safety measures in place if they feel they are neccessary. The MBTA in 2023 painted crosshatching across all grade crossings along the line and installed plastic bollards at grade crossings to remind vehicles not to turn onto the tracks.
Lori Frost, who lost her daughter at the Birch Street crossing in 2022, feels there’s more the MBTA should be doing.
“I think there is so much more that can be done all around [to] protect both the safety and well-being of our community and the train personnel. It would be in everyone’s favor to take a look at it once again,” she said. “It just kills me every time this happens, that yet again there is another family that has to go down this horrific journey. Between having to identify the remains, planning your loved one’s funeral services, coping with traumatic grief for everyone involved.”
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