Woman among church group praying for homeless along tracks is injured by moving train
A 61-year-old woman who was among a church group praying for the homeless in an encampment along railroad tracks in south Modesto suffered serious injuries when she walked into a moving train Thursday, authorities said.
The church group was on either side of the tracks that run parallel to South Seventh Street, near Pecos Avenue, at about 11:15 a.m., said Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Lt. Josh Clayton. He did not know which church the group was affiliated with.
Witnesses told authorities the woman stood up from praying and, with her head still bowed, turned toward the freight train, hitting the front of it.
Clayton said the train was moving slowly and the conductor reported using the horn prior to the accident.
The woman suffered a broken shoulder and head laceration. She was taken to Doctors Medical Center for treatment.
Union Pacific is investigating the accident, Clayton said.
This story was originally published March 5, 2020 at 3:05 PM.
