A 41 year old woman visiting Williams from Illinois with her young children and 19 year old brother was hit and killed by an eastbound freight train as she crossed the tracks on Grand Canyon Boulevard around 3:40 p.m. Wednesday. According to witnesses, she appeared to have tried to beat the train as it approached the crossing and was struck.
Williams Police Officer Thomas Sanders was nearby and was directed to the scene by witnesses and immediately began rendering aid, he was assisted by a retired police officer visiting Williams.
The woman was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center by Lifeline Ambulance, but staff there were unable to save her life.
The railroad crossing gate arms, lights, and warning bells all appeared to be functioning properly at the time.
Williams Police and BNSF Railroad Police are investigating the incident.
