Newspapers: Robert Mickschultz, 36, of Trenton, New Jersey, was dead at the scene.
reported at The Dalles, Wasco Co., Oregon

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Transcribed and formatted for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Earline Wasser <vhambv@hotmail.com.    January 2004
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Man Killed When Struck By Train
By Jesse Burkhardt for the Chronicle 

A New Jersey man was struck by a westbound train just west of the White Salmon
[Washington] River on October 10 [2003].

Robert Mickschultz, 36, of Trenton, New Jersey, was dead at the scene.

According to the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), the victim pulled
His car off State Route 14 and parked next to the tracks across from Cook-
Underwood Road at approximately 4 p.m. He stopped on the tracks to take
Photographs, and apparently did not hear or see a Burlington Northern Santa Fe
(BNSF) freight train coming.

SCSO Undersheriff Dave Cox said Mickschultz was killed instantly.

“It’s pretty tragic. He was taking a photo of Mt. Hood [Oregon] from the 
tracks,” Cox said. The spot where Mickschultz was hit was on a relatively 
straight and open stretch of track.

Gus Melonas, BNSF’s regional director of corporate relations said the 
Intermedial train was on its way from St. Paul, Minnesota to Portland when
The accident happened.

According to Melonas, the crew was blowing the train’s whistle, and the
Victim’s friend was yelling that a train was coming.

“Apparently he didn’t hear, and was struck. It’s unfortunate for all of us
involved,” Melonas said.

Cox pointed out that people tend to believe that trains will be very loud as
They approach, but that’s not always the case.

“I’ve been down on the tracks before during searches, and sometimes you can’t
hear them coming. Especially if the wind is blowing just righ, you can’t hear
them,” he explained.

BNSF has “No trespassing” signs posted near the site where Mickschultz was
Killed, as well as signs that specifically warn of trains approaching at high
Speed.

“I know Burlington Northern is pretty frustrated about it. We’ve had several
meetings with them,” Cox said.

Cox added that there have been three other train-pedestrian fatalities in
Almost the same spot in recent years.

He also pointed out that every Fourth of July he has observed people 
Trespassing along that stretch of track to get a clear view of Hood River’s
[Oregon] fireworks display.

Melonas said there have been 77 train-pedestrian fatalities in the state of
Washington over the past five years. He added that BNSF will soon launch a new
Safety campaign to teach people about the dangers of trespassing on tracks.

‘BNSF will be hosting an education program soon,” Melonas said.

“We’ll be talking to the high schools in Lyle [Washington] and White Salmon in
the near future to address safety. Our message to the public is expect a train
on any track, at any time, in any direction. With the recreational activities
the Gorge offers, this can be a special problem. We are asking the public to
exercise safety at all times.

“Last year, 540 people died while trespassing on railroad property throughout
the United States,” said Dennis Jenson, general director of police operations 
for Union Pacific. “Trespassers sometimes are killed because they are not 
expecting a train to come along. Walking on the railroad right of way is
dangerous and against the law.”

Jenson added that trespassers are subject to arrest for violating laws and
Possibly face jail time or fines.


The Dalles Chronicle   October 16, 2003  page A3


Written permission to reprint given by The Dalles Chronicle, The Dalles, Oregon.