Death of man who was struck by a train in July in Bellingham is ruled a suicide
A Burlington man who was struck by a freight train July 16 in Bellingham died by suicide, the Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled.
The cause of death was from multiple blunt impact injuries, the office reported.
Ivan Pokrova, 24, was struck on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks below the 1100 block of Chuckanut Drive. He was found dead upon arrival by fire crew members, according to previous reporting in the Bellingham Herald.
There have been three deaths caused by trains since May in Bellingham.
On May 30, Lucy Guerra, 15, of Bellingham, and a friend were walking on a railroad trestle above Squalicum Beach when Guerra was fatally hit by a BNSF freight train.
On July 27, Mikhail A. Bredkhin, 28, of Bellingham, was struck after he stepped in the direct path of a passenger train. The Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death a suicide.
Resources available
If anyone finds themselves or a friend in crisis or emotional distress, they can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at any time at 800-273-TALK (8255). For more information about the Lifeline, visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. To speak to a volunteer crisis counselor, contact the Crisis Text Line by texting “HOME” to 741741.
The Whatcom County Health Department lists several crisis hotlines on its website and also recommended additional local resources through:
▪ NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Whatcom: namiwhatcom.org.
▪ MAD HOPE (madhope.org): Teaching youth and trusted adults to recognize warning signs and connect teens with resources and support.
The Washington State Department of Health also offers behavioral health support guidance for children, youth, and teens in crisis on its website.
