A 27 year old man from Price was killed after being struck by a train while he walked on railroad tracks in Spanish Fork Canyon.
On July 7, 2013, at about 6:25 P.M., deputies with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a report of a train/pedestrian accident in Spanish Fork Canyon. The accident occurred near mile marker 218 on SR-6 in an area where the Price River runs adjacent to the Union Pacific tracks.
The name of the victim is Brent Hall, age 27, from Price.
Hall was fishing along the Price River with his care taker and the care taker’s grandson. He was a ward of the state due to his special needs and has lived in the with a couple who petitioned for custody 10 years ago after being removed from the custody of his family.
The care taker said they were fishing when Hall said he was going back to the truck. As he walked along the tracks an east bound train came around a bend. The engineers made every effort to stop the train but were unable to avoid hitting the man.Sergeant Spencer Cannon of the Utah County Sheriff’s office said that the family had lost sight of Hall and were unaware that he had been hit by the train immediately.
Sgt. Cannon also stated that there was no indication that Hall intended to step in front of the train. The family reported he was happy and had no capacity to contemplate suicide and this was a tragic accident.
The train consisted of only 3 engines, having just finished helping a west bound train over Solder Summit. The train was en route back to Price.
“This man’s care takers have treated him like family. He loved to fish and they have taken him fishing hundreds of times. They, and the engineers on the train, were understandably devastated.” said Cannon
For questions contact Sergeant Spencer Cannon, Public Information Officer, Utah County Sheriff’s Office. (801)404-1912.