Cottonwood Subdivision Homeowners Association

Man Killed By RTD Train - Light Rail is it Safe? -

Aug 02, 2000

As Parker gets ready for its turn at the light-rail transportation system, we ask is it safe?

A man was killed Tuesday night when he was crushed between a light-rail train and a station platform.

Denver police and Regional Transportation District officials are investigating the accident, which occurred at 7:55 p.m. at 10th Street and Osage Avenue.

The man?’s name has not been released. He was apparently trying to get on a moving train. Witnesses told investigators the man was in an area that he shouldn?’t be and when the train started moving, he tried to grab a door and fell under the train. Other witnesses said the man just slipped and fell.

Police say he appears to be in his thirties.

An RTD spokesperson says the light rail driver did announce that the train was leaving and doubt he will face disciplinary action.

This is the third fatality since light rail began operating in 1994. A train struck and killed a pedestrian who stepped in front of it weeks after the first line opened. In 1996, a train struck a car that swerved in front of it, killing a passenger.