Man Struck and Killed by Freight Train in NJ

Hawthorne police say the accident was reported around 2:15 a.m. Saturday by the engineer of the train

Saturday, Jan 5, 2013 | Updated 3:33 PM EDT

Man Struck and Killed by Freight Train in NJ

NBCWashington.com

Authorities say a man was struck and killed by a freight train in New Jersey.

Hawthorne police say the accident was reported around 2:15 a.m. Saturday by the engineer of the train, which was traveling south on the New York Susquehanna and Western Line. The engineer said he believed he had struck someone on the tracks, and responding officers found the body a short time later.

Authorities are not sure why the man was on the tracks, and have so far been unable to identify him. They say he may have been a homeless person living in the area, but the investigation is ongoing.

The victim was described as a man, apparently in his late 50s, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing about 175 pounds.