Two killed this morning by train

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By BECKY MARTINEZ
bmartinez@crescent-news.com
A Defiance man and a rural Oakwood man were killed early this morning when, while walking on the railroad tracks at the Jefferson Avenue viaduct, they were hit by a train.

Ray Ankney, 44, 826 Karnes Ave., and Bobby Shafer, 27, 7256 Road 177, Oakwood, were struck by a train at approximately 3 a.m., according to the Defiance Police Department.

The police department received a call from the CSX railroad that an eastbound train struck at least one pedestrian on the tracks.

In their investigation, officers learned there were two trains traveling in opposite directions. The men, who were walking east, were hit by the eastbound train.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene by Defiance County Coroner Dr. Paul Brose.

"We've had others hit and killed on these tracks before," said Assistant Police Chief Tim Tobias.

"Whenever we see people on the tracks or crossing the river bridges, we always stop them. "No trespassing' signs are posted for a reason. The thing with trains are they are so big their speed can be easily misjudged. A train traveling at 70 miles per hour might look like it's traveling at 20 miles per hour; they close on you very fast," Tobias said.

He added that it is especially important for children walking home from school to stay off the tracks and not use them for short cuts. "Railroad tracks are dangerous. We will charge people with no trespassing."

Assisting the police department at the scene were the Defiance County Sheriff's Office, CSX Railroad Police, Ohio Highway Patrol and the Defiance City Fire Department.

The incident remains under investigation.