Man in ‘extremely critical condition’ after light rail accident in Phoenix

PHOENIX — A 40-year-old man was critically injured after he was run over Wednesday morning by a Valley Metro light rail train that he reportedly tried to cross in front of.

Capt. Rob McDade with the Phoenix Fire Department told KTAR News 92.3 FM that the man was breathing on his own when first responders lifted the train off of him and pulled him out.

Crews rescued an adult male that was trapped underneath a light rail train-Firefighters used special airbags to lift up a portion of the train & free the man-He was rushed to a local trauma center in critical condition-Crews train for these types of incidents. 19th Ave Montebello pic.twitter.com/uam78njCLX

— Phoenix Fire Dept. (@PHXFire) February 27, 2019

“He was hanging on for dear life” at the crash site at 19th and Montebello avenues in Phoenix before he was transported to a nearby hospital, McDade said. He suffered injuries to his torso.

The man reportedly was crossing 19th Avenue when he was sucked under the train, but the conductor was able to stop in time before the wheels ran him over.

“Those trains are deceptively fast. If you think you can outrun them, the train will always win,” McDade said.

Valley Metro closed the tracks, and 19th Avenue was closed in both directions for a time between Bethany Home Road and Missouri Avenue.

A bus bridge between the station at 19th Avenue and Camelback Road and the station at Glendale and 19th avenues was also being operated on as a result of the crash.

Service Update: To continue heading westbound a bus bridge is currently running from 19th Ave and Camelback to Glendale and 19th Ave. Additionally the platform at Montebello and 19th Ave is closed due to investigation. #vmservice https://t.co/fBgYxdOjEe

— Valley Metro (@valleymetro) February 27, 2019

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ashley Flood contributed to this report. 

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