UPDATE: Worker killed by rail car at West Marginal Way SW plant

10:12 AM: Seattle Fire says a person has been hit and killed by a rail car in the 5400 block of West Marginal Way SW. Police are investigating. We’re on the way to find out more.

10:44 AM: The SFD log address for the call is the Lafarge plant; its gates are closed and the remaining responders are all on the property beyond that, so we can’t find out anything on site.

10:53 AM: SPD describes the incident as an “industrial accident involving a worker and rail car.”

ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: Lafarge sent this statement:

Lafarge Canada has confirmed the death of an employee at our Seattle cement plant.
This is a very difficult and tragic incident, and we are extremely concerned about the impact to this individual’s family and friends. Our thoughts are with our colleague’s friends and family, and we are providing the support of our employee assistance program to help our co-workers cope with this loss.
Lafarge is cooperating fully in the investigation. We are unable to comment further at this time.

14 Replies to "UPDATE: Worker killed by rail car at West Marginal Way SW plant"

  • M Hall November 18, 2019 (10:37 am)

    Thanks. I crossed by the scene on my bike right when the emergency vehicles were arriving, but couldn’t see what was going on. This was at the LaFarge Cement Plant and the Duwamish Trail passes right by, so a lot of cyclists and a few pedestrians cross the tracks every day. The trains have been very active lately.

    • WSB November 18, 2019 (10:48 am)

      The responders who are still on site are on the property beyond locked gates so further info is going to be difficult to get, but we’re trying.

      • M Hall November 18, 2019 (12:06 pm)

        The workers often walk next to the cars, especially where they need to use the switch (which is right next to the trail crossing). They’re very conscientious of the bikes and I’ve always felt relatively safe because the cars move pretty slowly and I’m only crossing at the one point. But it’d be pretty easy for a worker to step/trip one way or another into the path of those huge cars – or the train to get on the wrong track and catch someone unawares. What a tragedy.

  • momosmom November 18, 2019 (11:12 am)

    OH this is just so terrible… thoughts and prays to ALL involved.

  • Alki resident November 18, 2019 (12:06 pm)

    This is devastating news. My prayers to his family, co workers and friends and to the first responders who deal with this tragedy as well. 

  • CC November 18, 2019 (4:44 pm)

    My company hauls out of LaFarge numerous times a day. We are all saddened to hear of this unfortunate death to this young man. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and co-workers as they try to deal with this loss. R.I.P. 

  • 22blades November 19, 2019 (3:56 am)

    Terrible news. I hope they can move on with safer protocols & training.

  • JC November 19, 2019 (11:19 am)

    He was my little brother. I’ll miss you so much. He was always happy and smiling. I love you lil bro

    • WSB November 19, 2019 (11:27 am)

      We are so sorry for your loss.

    • neighbor November 19, 2019 (11:27 am)

      I’m so very sorry for your loss.

  • Prima November 19, 2019 (11:45 am)

    T extrañaremos primo Dios te tenga en su gloria

  • Becky Kerr November 22, 2019 (8:18 pm)

    I just read about this, how tragic!!  I jog by that place all the time, so it strikes home.I remember back on July 31st, 2013 they found a body in a railcar at that same address 5400 West Marginal.  Yep, I looked it up, it was in the P.I. “body found in rail car; no crime suspected”.  Yikes, the same address and another railcar death!

  • Adam November 26, 2019 (6:16 am)

    The news come at great shock to me. I work along side this man shared a lot of laugh. And work a lot of grave yard shift together all way had smile on he’s face took pride in to he work. Greatly miss and I know lafarge take safety vary strong close neat family e environment. Rest easy my friend. I’m thought and prays go out to his family n to lafarge this is a tough one…Mcintosh

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