Father killed while saving daughter from oncoming train

Hamilton County EMS workers stow their equipment in vehicles near the scene after two individuals were struck by a CSX train Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, at Audubon Acres in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Hamilton County EMS workers stow their equipment in vehicles near the scene after two individuals were struck by a CSX train Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, at Audubon Acres in Chattanooga, Tenn.

CSX's deepest sympathies go out to all involved in a tragic accident that occurred this afternoon in Chattanooga, Tennessee."

photo CSX railroad workers walk near the scene after two individuals were struck by a CSX train Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, at Audubon Acres in Chattanooga, Tenn.
photo Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services on location at Audobon Acres after two pedestrians were struck by a train.

A father and his daughter were hit by a CSX train at 2 p.m. this afternoon on a trestle near the Elise Chapin Wildlife Sanctuary, where the train tracks cross South Chickamauga Creek.

Justin McCary died saving his 10-year-old daughter from the oncoming train, pushing her out of the train's path as he himself was hit. The two were walking on the train tracks on a bridge when a train came around the bend, according to police.

The daughter, who as a juvenile will not be named, has been taken to Erlanger for surgery. Hospital officials there said her condition was still being assessed, though police said her injuries were not life-threatening.

She was taken into surgery late this afternoon.

The initial call went out around 2 p.m., when authorities were summoned to both ends of the railroad trestle next to the wildlife sanctuary.

In a statement, CSX expressed sympathy for the victims.

"CXS's deepest sympathies go out to all involved in a tragic accident that occurred this afternoon in Chattanooga," the raiload company wrote.

The train was traveling from Evansville, Indiana to Stilesboro, Georgia, just south of Cartersville. The train had four locomotives and ninety-five rail cars carrying coal. Hamilton County Police and CSX representatives responded on scene.

Train traffic through the area has been suspended while the investigation is underway, CSX said.

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