A person and a dog were killed after being struck by a train on a span commonly known as the Ghost Bridge near Woodland on Tuesday, according to a news release from the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were dispatched to a report of an Amtrak train striking a pedestrian at 1:12 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 4399 Dike Road at the bridge, which crosses the Lewis River between Cowlitz and Clark counties.
“Deputies responded and determined the pedestrian was struck by a southbound Amtrak train while walking southbound on the bridge,” the sheriff’s office stated in the release. “A witness indicated that the person was hit while attempting to save a dog, which was on the tracks. Both the individual and the dog were declared deceased at the scene.”
The identity of the pedestrian was not released. It will be released after confirmation by the Cowlitz County coroner.
Deputies were assisted by police from the BNSF Railroad, Woodland and Ridgefield as well as Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue and the Cowlitz County Humane Society.
“The BNSF property is posted as ‘no trespassing’ and the sheriff’s office wants the public to recognize the dangers posed by unauthorized use of railroad tracks,” the sheriff’s office stated. “This location has been the site of numerous fatalities of pedestrians who were on or adjacent to the tracks.”
