Person trying to save dog on railroad bridge is hit and killed by train, WA cops say

A person died trying to save a dog from an oncoming train on a railroad bridge over a river, Washington sheriff’s officials said.

The fatality occurred at 1:12 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, on the Ghost Bridge over the Lewis River, the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

An Amtrak train hit and killed a person crossing the bridge between Cowlitz and Clark counties, the sheriff’s office said.

An onlooker reported the person was trying to save a dog on the tracks, officials said. The dog also died.

Identification of the person is pending from coroner’s officials, the release said.

Sheriff’s officials said they want “the public to recognize the dangers posed by unauthorized use of railroad tracks.” Several people have been hit and killed by trains on the bridge.

Cowlitz County is about 140 miles south of Seattle.

This story was originally published August 30, 2023 at 7:57 AM with the headline "Person trying to save dog on railroad bridge is hit and killed by train, WA cops say."