Pedestrian struck by Amtrak train near Tenino

Law enforcement is investigating the death of a man who was struck by an Amtrak train near Tenino, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

Lt. Cliff Ziesemer said the Amtrak train operator reported that the adult male stepped onto the tracks in front of the oncoming train. Detectives have been dispatched to the scene to investigate the death.

The pedestrian was struck on the BNSF Railway line that runs parallel to State Route 507, just south of Tenino.

Gus Melonas, a BNSF Railway spokesman, said rail traffic has been stopped in the area. The Amtrak train is being held, as are four BNSF freight trains and one Union Pacific Railroad train.

Trains are expected to resume travel by 6 p.m., Melonas said.

BNSF Railway officers are also investigating the death.

Malones said this is the third death on a BNSF line in Washington this year. Last year, a record 27 people died on BNSF lines statewide.

This story was originally published February 26, 2016 at 4:03 PM with the headline "Pedestrian struck by Amtrak train near Tenino."