Cyclist Dies After Getting Hit By Light Rail Train

DENVER (CBS4) - A cyclist has died after getting hit by a Regional Transportation District light rail train on Sunday afternoon.

Daria Serna with RTD said the cyclist crossed the tracks east to west at 13th and Osage. The crossing arms were down and signals were sounding. Witnesses said the train's horns were also sounding and the operator slammed on the brakes.

"All of a sudden he just slammed his brakes, saw a bunch of chunks of rocks fly to the side, and then (I saw) the body just fly over the fence and figured pretty much, figured he was either hurt real bad or dead," light rail passenger Richard Martinez said.

Witnesses said the cyclist saw a northbound train, which was clearing, but did not see the southbound train. Authorities say the man may have been impatient.

"We don't have any information that he was being careless, except for the fact that he didn't pay attention and unfortunately it cost him his life," Det. Leslie Branch-Wise with Denver police said.

RTD says trains go through the crossing at 35 miles per hour at its top speed. Thirty-five people were on the train. They were moved to a bus.

The person's identity hasn't been released.