UPDATED: Morrisville Man Killed by Train Sat on Track

Wednesday, 10:45 p.m.:

Phillyburbs.com reported earlier today that David Smith sat on the tracks, turning his head away when the train that killed him approached.

According to the report, there was no suicide note left at the scene.

 Original story:

Bucks County Coroner James Campbell has identified the man killed by an Amtrak train yesterday as David Smith, 56, of  Morrisville and ruled his death a suicide.

Smith was struck by the train around 6:30  p.m. last night while little league games were taking place  at Memorial Field in Bristol Borough.

Bristol Borough Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe told PhillyBurbs.com last night that a solution is needed to keep trespassers of the tracks especially since there is ease of access to them by a staircase. (see photo)

Amtrak Spokesperson Craig Schulz said via E-mail, in response to DiGuiseppe’s remarks that, “trespasser incidents are  a major concern for us here at Amtrak. As such, we do a  tremendous amount of work with  and organization called Operation Lifesaver…we are always working to educate the public about how to stay safe on railroad property.”

Bristol Borough Councilman Patrick Sabatini said, “I feel for the family and their loss.  It’s really troubling to hear this,  but I see Council President DiGuiseppe’s point, if you’re going to have stairs there, secure them at least. In fact what I also don’t understand is why have a fence only on one side of tracks, why didn’t they go on the Prospect Street side and do that side too?”

Sabatini who is the Councilman for the north ward,  where the  incident took place is frustrated by the lack of safety for the children of his constituent’s  saying the council has been in a long drawn out struggle with Amtrak about this issue.

Although no one can say if Smith actually used the steps in question,  he  is the second person who has died on the tracks in the last 19 days.

Ryan Hoover was struck and killed by a Trenton bound SEPTA train March 30 in what was ruled an accidental death by Campbell.

Related to safety concerns of the public and officials, early this morning SEPTA confirmed for LevittownNow they will be holding  a county-wide “Safety Blitz” as part of a system wide safety day on  May 1 at the Croydon and Bristol stations from 6:00 a..m. to 9:30 a.m.

Related:

Person Struck by Train in Bristol Borough