Train kills boy on tracks in Bernalillo

BERNALILLO, N.M. (KRQE) - A 15-year-old boy apparently engrossed in his music died Wednesday afternoon when he was hit and killed by an Amtrak train in Bernalillo, authorities confirmed.

Bernalillo Police Chief Julian Gonzales told KRQE News 13 the boy was crossing the tracks near South Oak Street and Valle Avenue at the south end of the town.  The boy, walking alone and wearing headphones, apparently didn't see or hear the train approaching, Gonzales said.

A witness told News 13 he heard the train sound its horn three times and that he looked in time to see a tennis shoe fly from the tracks.  A daypack and schoolbooks were scattered around the scene, he added.

Police have notified the boy's mother and at last report were still trying to contact the father.

The boy, whose name has not been released, died within sight of his home near the tracks.

The incident happened about 3:15 p.m. as Amtrak's Southwest Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles was nearing its daily stop in Albuquerque.

An Amtrak spokesperson said the speed limit where the collision happened is 79 mph.  There were 116 passengers plus the crew on board, and no injuries were reported.

The spokesperson said the victim was trespassing on the tracks.

The site is between two public rail crossings between Avenida Bernalillo and Lucero Avenue.

A spokesperson for the Rail Runner Express said commuter trains may incur minor delays but can use a passing track to get around the Amtrak train.

The Amtrak spokesperson said collision investigations typically delay its trains from 90 minutes to two hours.