A Kelowna man has died after being struck by a train in Spences Bridge, Aug. 27.
According to the BC Coroners Service, 40-year-old Jonathon Christopher Harris was struck by a Via Rail passenger train at approximately 3:50 a.m. Aug. 27.
The train was travelling east from Vancouver to Kamloops, when the conductor saw Harris walking towards his train, along where the tracks pass through Spences Bridge.
The conductor was unable to stop the train in time, and struck Harris, who died at the scene.
Mariam Diaby, a media relations advisor with Via Rail, said she couldn’t provide any further details, other than to confirm that a Via Rail train “struck a trespasser” on Aug. 27 at 3:45 a.m.
“It’s a tragedy and our thoughts go to the [family of the victim]. On behalf of everyone at Via Rail, let me express our deepest sympathies to those affected,” she said.
Diaby also said the locomotive engineers on board the train Aug. 27 have been temporarily relieved of duty, and are receiving the appropriate support.
The BC Coroners Service and RCMP are still investigating the death. The BC Coroners Service says Harris’ family has asked “for privacy during this difficult time.”
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