Man killed after trying to 'slap' moving train while celebrating birthday

Posted: Jul 22, 2010 3:27 PM
Updated: Jul 22, 2010 11:19 PM

SUMMERVILLE, SC (WCSC) - A 23-year-old Summerville man was killed early Thursday morning after trying to "slap" a moving train after he had been drinking.

According to the Dorchester County coroner Justin Helton, of Summerville, was at a bar on East Doty Avenue celebrating his birthday. He apparently had too much to drink, got into a few different arguments with people at the bar, and then allegedly went outside upset. He then told someone he was going to "slap the train" that was passing by.

When doing so, he apparently was sucked into the train and suffered multiple fractures and massive blunt force trauma. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A witness said that she had been with Helton and that he had been drinking and was severely intoxicated.

Another witness, who is an ex-girlfriend of Helton's and had been in an argument with him before the incident, said he went to touch the oncoming train with his hand and that his foot got caught in the track in front of the train. She said it did not appear that he jumped in front of the train.

The train conductor did not know this accident had even happened and had to be stopped farther down the tracks for the investigation.

From: http://www.live5news.com/Global/story.asp?S=12852316