Effingham man killed in bicyclist vs. train accident

EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) -- A 34-year-old Effingham man died on Wednesday after being hit by a train. Police responded to the Jefferson St. crossing in downtown Effingham around 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday after a report that a bicyclist had been hit by a train. When law enforcement arrived, they found an unresponsive man lying near the tracks. Kim Rhodes, Effingham County Coroner later identified that man as Travis Ingram. Rural EMS brought Ingram to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead at 5:17 p.m. Preliminary information indicates that a Canadian National Freight train was heading northbound when a bicyclist heading west crossed the tracks in front of the train. While the crossing does have lights and gates, it is considered a "quiet zone" where the train horn is not played. Police also said Ingram was wearing headphones which may have kept him from hearing other train noises. The bicycle was found on the east side of the tracks, and the headphones were on the west side. The conductor and engineer of the Canadian National Railroad were not injured in the collision. WCIA reached out to Canadian National for a statement. Canadian National Railroad declined to comment and said in part "questions about this incident should be directed to the Effingham Police Department as they are the lead investigating agency." Effingham City Police, the Effingham County Coroner and the Canadian National Railroad are investigating. The Effingham City Police Department, Effingham Detective Bureau, Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, Rural Med EMS, Effingham County Coroner’s Office and the Canadian National Railroad Authorities assisted at the scene of the accident.