Verified answer

If they realize that they hit a person, the train is stopped immediately, and the passengers are not allowed to leave (because it isn't safe when the train isn't at a station). If they don't realize they hit anyone, but someone (on the next train, for example) sees a body later and realizes what happens, then the train is stopped at a station.

Either way, all trains are prohibited from passing the scene, on any track, typically for about three hours. This is for the safety of the police or coroner or medical examiner who are at the scene investigating and to make sure that other trains don't disturb the evidence.

If there is any possibility that the person might still be alive, they would be taken to a hospital by ambulance, as soon as possible. If the person is definitely dead, then the body would stay in place somewhat longer for the sake of the investigation, and then be taken to the coroner or medical examiner.

In a city or large town, the body would be checked for identification documents, a license to drive, a cell phone, etc. If they find something with the person's name and address, then the police would notify the family. If no identification was found, then they would check reports of missing persons. In a very small town where everyone knows each other, someone would recognize the person -- maybe (if the person was local and the face wasn't too badly mangled), so looking for identification or reports of missing persons might not be possible.

In a city or town, they would get an EMT to see if the person's life can still be saved. In a very rural area with no EMT, they might have to do something else, like ask a doctor who happens to be a passenger on the train to help out.

The driver / engineer will stop the train.

Another crew member will walk back down the tracks looking for the body, or body parts. (This kind of collision can happen quickly. The driver / engineer may not know if he hit a person, or an animal, especially if it's dark.)

Assuming that it was a person, the train crew will contact local police, who will contact the local medical examiner (coroner). All traffic on the train line will stop while the investigation is underway. This might easily take two hours.

The railroad will send out replacement train crew. The accident driver / engineer will be in no condition to continue his shift, and most jurisdictions would require that he be pulled off-shift for drug testing as a matter of routine.

The coroner will perform an autopsy, and work with the local police to identify the body.

In the north east one common way to commit suicide is to get on to the tracks before an Amtrak train is due. By the time the engineer sees the person it is too late to stop the train and the person will have been hit. The engineer will stop the train and police are called and take charge. When they are done the train is allowed to proceed.

It is hard for me to imagine calling an ambulance or emergency medical technicians (EMY’s). If a person is hit by a train the body will be widely scattered.

In the US railroad tracks are not routinely fenced as they are in Britain and Europe. Often it is easy to gain access to railroad tracks.

The train driver is immediately relieved for duty (with pay) and offered counseling services. They would be offered a couple weeks off work to get over it.

Yes, EMTs would be called to determine the need for the coroner to come and get the body. The police would also be called. The he police and coroner would identify the body if possible and the police would notify the next of kin if one can be found.

The coroner would take the body to the morgue where it would be kept pending disposal instructions from the next of kin. Most places also require an autopsy in all cases of untimely death.

If no relatives can be found after a certain length of time the body would either be cremated or buried at public expense depending on the policy of the community where the death occurred.

If it's a cargo train then it will definitely make this guy into a smashed potato cause it's too heavy, if it's a passenger train maybe it can make a emergency break before blow this guy away. However this could only happen at a crossing. On main line drivers don't have time for this emergency break. At crossing, drivers can see if there's any strange thing on the track. It will honk numerous times to alert this guy. After the accident, police, paramedics, witnesses or pedestrian will come over, of course the train will stop, if it's suspicious then FBI will involve this. Tbh it sounds really weird anyway hope you have a story to write!

As soon as the engineer ---that's the term that's used in America for "driver"--- became aware that there was someone in front of the train, he would do everything he could to stop the train. The police would show up, and depending on the condition of the body, MIGHT call the EMTs. The family would be notified by having a police officer dispatched to their door; the officer would make the notification personally.

, I need details.

Train driver goes into shock. Has nightmares for months Wife divorces him. Takes children, Driver takes overdose and dies one year later.

Ambulance /Morgue attendant slips on blood. Hits head dies on scene.

So what do you think happens if a Bicycle hits and kills a pedestrian?

What do you think happens if a truck hits and kills a Pedestrian.

Why would you think a train hitting a pedestrian is different.

The body is not left at the side of the track for the rats to feast on.

Some poor guy has the job of go fetch the body parts.

They gather them up in bags.

They go to the morgue. There some other guys opens up a bag and takes out on arm for example. He looks for fingers. He takes the Finger prints and hopes the person has some sort of finger print record,

They look in Pockets for a wallet. Is there an ID card?

They find the Id of John Doe. It has an address. Police by various methods can check computer records. For example School Records, Parking tickets. They try to look for some other person with same name at address.

They maybe use a reverse directory to get a phone number or go in person.

Hello Little girl is your Mommy or Daddy there. One Minute.

Mommy here

Sorry Lady are you a relation to John Doe. Yes that is my Son/Husband/Father/

Could you go to the morgue and Fetch his pieces he be dead.

Or you visit in person and say I am sorry Miss waiting at home. Your groceries are not coming.

Lady Lady you okay let me help you to a chair. Is there someone we can call to help you.

No mam I cannot stay and Babysit while you get hysterical.

What Happened? Your Male was hit by a train. WHY DID HE DO IT?

Lady how in heck do I know why the IDIOT walked in front of a train. Oops not PC

I do not know mam it is still under investigation would you like a ride to go see his arm leg and assorted bits.

, I just need to know the details to write. NO YOU DO NOT.

Why would you need an EMT to pick up pieces.? That is the coroners job.

He figures out WHO the victim is could take weeks.

They inform Police. Police assign an Officer to deliver the news. The Officer does not have a good day.

Nice to see you write about what happens to the train driver. The hours of giving testimony writing statements Sitting alone with flashes of body parts going through his memory. Now he goes home and hears Honey how was your day?

Or YOUR LATE Dinner is cold.You missed the child's Birthday Party.

Do you expect the Victims Family to give shouts of joy. Dance down the street.

Try to picture, The next knock on your door the next phone call.

Do you know XXXX They are DEAD What do you do now? Hug your kids,scream,cry . Get your coat,call your neighbour,sister,Father Son or what?

What about the kids waiting to be picked up at school or the movie theatre. YOUR BILLS Money for Cab to go the Morgue.

The last thing you said to them? How you tell their wife Mother Child the news.

What other DETAILS do you want.

The Speech given at the door.

The minutes to pick up pieces.

The press conference of A Man early twenties hit by train. Anybody missing a Male? Give us a call.So we can verify they dead.

Body bits could be under train or strewn over a large area It could take hours to find most of it and get it out of the machinery.

Maybe Police cannot identify the person.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA6X8Iqrav8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKXCDSyeRoM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLJJLXpM8nQ

Only the parts on the ground, are of interest, unless major parts, like the head, are missing, then they might search the train for them.

They'll leave the ground meat there since it's too hard to scrape up.

Just use your mind. You can be as realistic or as unrealistic as you feel.