An Amtrak maintenance worker was killed Monday (February 23) after being struck by a train while on the job in East Lampeter Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania — and federal investigators are now on the scene.
Jeremy Charles, 39, of Holtwood, Pennsylvania, was working with a track crew near Greenfield Road and Old Philadelphia Pike when a train struck him around 11:30 a.m., according to the Lancaster County Coroner's Office. Emergency medical services responded, but Charles was pronounced dead at the scene.
His body was transported to the Lancaster County Forensic Center, where an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of death.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it is sending an investigative team to Lancaster County to look into the incident. The agency routinely responds to fatal rail accidents to determine what went wrong.
Amtrak released a statement expressing sorrow over the loss. "Amtrak extends our profound condolences to the family of an employee who suffered a fatal injury today on the Harrisburg Line near Lancaster, Pa.," the company said, as reported by CBS 21. "Our thoughts are with their loved ones during this difficult time."
Following the incident, Amtrak suspended all Keystone Service — which runs between Harrisburg and Philadelphia — for the remainder of Monday while the investigation got underway. The route was expected to resume service today, Tuesday (February 24).
An Amtrak spokesperson declined to answer additional questions about the circumstances of the incident when contacted by reporters.