By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
George Honse III, 22, Port Carbon, Pennsylvania, was
killed instantly in a train-pedestrian accident four miles
south of Nephi on Friday, March 3.
Juab County Sheriff, David Carter, released the name
of the victim early Tuesday, March 7. Honse died as a result
of traumatic head injuries suffered in the accident.
"A deputy was looking for Mr. Honse at 7 p.m. when the
accident occurred," said Carter.
He said Juab County Deputy Sheriff Cody Laird had been
dispatched to the site before the accident occurred because
two Union Pacific Railroad train crews had reported seeing
the man wandering along the tracks near the accident
site.
"After a brief search, Deputy Laird, observed a
northbound coal train make an emergency stop and hurried to
the front of the train," said Carter. "The conductor
reported that a man had just been hit."
Laird then discovered the body of the victim and
called for back-up and for East Juab County Ambulance EMTs
to come to the scene of the accident.
In addition to the ambulance crew being dispatched to
the site, said Carter, he and deputies Greg Gurney and Craig
Ryan responded. They were also assisted at the scene by
Alden Orme, Nephi City Police Officer.
"The train's crew reported that they were aware of the
man who had been reported walking at the edge of the
railroad tracks," said Carter. "They reported they noticed
the man walking southbound, toward the train, and the crew
began flashing lights and sounding the train's horn but the
man, they said, made no attempt to get out of the way of the
train."
It takes a long time and quite a distance to slow a
train to the point where it can stop and the crew did the
best they could to stop before striking the victim.
Union Pacific Railroad investigators also were sent to
the scene, said Carter, as was a replacement crew for the
train.
"We held up the train for three and a half hours while
we conducted our investigation," said Carter. He said Utah
Highway Patrol Troopers assisted with the necessary road
closure of Elevator Road.
The investigation at the site was completed by 10:30
p.m.
Honse's body was removed from the scene of the
accident and was transported to the state medical examiner's
office. It will be approximately two weeks before a report
is received from that office, said Carter.
The medical examiner will determine whether or not
there were other contributing factors which may have led to
Honse's death.
"Mr. Honse's vehicle was found at Flying J's parking
lot shortly after the accident occurred," said Carter.
Flying J is located in south Nephi near the south
Interstate-15 freeway on/off-ramp.
The body of Honse will be returned to Pennsylvania for
services.
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