WALSENBURG — A 59-year old man, believed to be homeless, stepped out in front of a moving Burlington Northern Santa Fe train shortly after 1 pm Wednesday, July 22 in Walsenburg.
Gary Lee Roberts, who some witnesses say has been sleeping some nights in the caboose at Heritage Park in the city center, has been transported to Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center for treatment of broken bones. WPD Captain Vince Suarez said Roberts’ injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.
Officials say the train did not run over the man, but knocked him down as he walked in front of it.
Suarez and WPD Chief Tommie McLallen said the incident appears to be an attempted suicide.
Chief McLallen said this is the second attempted suicide city police have responded to in the past 12 hours or so.
The other case is unrelated to the incident this afternoon. And in both instances, the individual has survived the attempt.
BNSF Investigators are heading to Walsenburg from Trinidad and the train has been halted and is currently blocking both the Hendren and 7th Street crossings. Authorities say the train will not be moved until the railroad police have conducted their investigation and release it.
The incident happened approximately 100 yards West of the Main Street railroad crossing in downtown Walsenburg.
