Brightline train hits, kills one in Lake Worth Beach

May 18-- May 18--LAKE WORTH BEACH -- A Brightline/Virgin Trains USA train struck and killed a person in Lake Worth Beach on Saturday afternoon, authorities said.

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue crews responded near the intersection of South Dixie Highway and 12th Avenue South at about 3:20 p.m., Capt. Albert Borroto said.

The person was found dead at the scene, Borroto said.

No further information about the victim was provided by 6 p.m. Saturday.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office blocked all traffic on Dixie Highway as authorities investigated the crash.

George Martinez, a sales clerk at a nearby Cricket Wireless store, said he saw a body on South Dixie Highway in the moments after the crash.

The 21-year-old said first responders were on the scene within 10 minutes.

Several people have been struck and killed by Brightline trains in southern Palm Beach County since the high-speed rail company began passenger service in January 2018. The most recent was this month in Boynton Beach, near Woolbright Road.

Brightline uses the FEC Railway tracks close to the Intracoastal Waterway, which cross multiple streets and intersections as they extend toward Miami. In some places, there is no significant barrier between pedestrians and the track.

Brightline has said in the past that its safety and security team evaluates areas where accidental deaths and suicides occur. The rail line has started a public-awareness program to warn pedestrians to heed lights and crossing gates.

All Aboard Florida, which operates Brightline, is owned by an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC, a global investment management firm. Fortress Investment Group LLC is contracted to manage and advise New Media Investments Inc., which owns GateHouse Media, the parent company of The Palm Beach Post.

This is a developing story. Check back to www.PalmBeachPost.com for updates.

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