Two women were struck by a Norfolk Southern train near the railroad crossing at the intersection of South McDonald Road and B Avenue in McDonald, Tenn., early Friday morning. Meagan Snyder, 30, died after being taken to Erlanger hospital; Shana Parker, 37, remains hospitalized. The incident is under investigation, according to the Bradley County Sheriff's Office.
McDONALD, Tenn. -- One woman has died and another remains hospitalized after a pair of pedestrians were struck by a Norfolk Southern train early Friday morning in Bradley County.
Meagan Snyder, 30, of Sim Goodwin Road, died at Erlanger hospital in Chattanooga, Chief Deputy Brian Smith of the Bradley County Sheriff's Office stated in a news release.
Shana Parker, 37, of 4790 South Lee Highway, was initially treated at SkyRidge Medical Center in Cleveland, but also has been taken to Erlanger, Smith said.
The accident occurred near the railroad crossing at the intersection of South McDonald Road and B Avenue, according to the sheriff's office and Bradley County Emergency Medical Services.
The incident occurred at 4:10 a.m., when an eastbound general merchandise train struck the women, said Robin Chapman, a spokesman for Norfolk Southern.
"The two women were on the railroad ties and did not move off the ties," said Chapman.
Engineer Charles Helton stated that the train had "struck two people that were walking on the tracks," according to an incident report filed by Deputy Bradley Colbaugh of the sheriff's office.
After the accident, Parker ran to a nearby house to call for help, said Stan Clark, spokesman for Bradley County EMS, in a news release.
Emergency responders found Snyder lying next to the tracks; Parker was found at her listed home address, according to the sheriff's report.
"EMS crews had to walk a considerable distance to locate the patient [Snyder]," Clark said.
He said she suffered "serious" injuries and was stabilized by Bradley EMS before being taken to Erlanger.
Colbaugh said no railway employees were injured.
Norfolk Southern railway police also came to help with the investigation, according to the deputy's report.
Smith said the incident remains under investigation by the Bradley County Sheriff's Office.
The families of Snyder and Parker could not be reached for comment.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.