Police: Tourist struck, killed by train

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) A sightseeing trip to the Liberty Bell ended in tragedy for a Texas tourist. Police say a 55-year-old man from Texas was struck and killed by an oncoming train along the Market Frankford El around 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

"He was a tourist. He is from Texas he was with his wife he had just got done visiting the Liberty Bell" said Chief Inspector Scott Small with the Philadelphia Police.

The victim was with his wife on the packed platform of the 13th Street station at the height of rush hour. SEPTA suspended subway service while police investigated on the rails.

"He leaned over from the platform looking down the tunnel to see if the train was coming and that is when he fell onto the track and within seconds a westbound train struck him" said Small.

The victim was pronounced dead minutes later.

The rush hour train delay sent thousands of evening commuters spilling onto the streets of Center City.

"It was mobbed. It was mobbed" said one traveler.

SEPTA provided riders with a convoy of shuttle busses from 30th Street Station to Spring Garden.

"It was a big inconvenience the shuttles were not running then you had to go across the street to catch the shuttles. It was a big inconvenience" said LaJoy Redman of Southwest Philadelphia.

By 6:20 p.m. the Market Frankford Line was back up and running but not before making many commuters late for dinner or day care pick up.

"All I had was one more stop to go But how long was that? About a half hour?" said Kiara Scott.

Police have not identified the victim. SEPTA Police do not suspect foul play or suicide rather a "tragic accident".