Train Severs Man's Leg In Hope Mills

On September 10, a man suffered personal injuries when his leg was severed by a CSX train while he was lying beside the tracks in Hope Mills.

According to a spokeswoman, 25-year-old Robert Lee Reed received air transport to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, where he was listed in serious condition.

At approximately 1:30 a.m., Reed was struck at the tracks behind Carlie C’s grocery store on Main Street, near McPhail Street and Fountain Lane.

According to engineers on the train, which was en route from Rocky Mount to Hamlet, Reed was lying beside the track and had his right leg on the edge of it. According to conductor David Ohlinger, he sounded the train’s horn, but Reed did not move.

Engineer Robert Milland says he attempted to stop the 124-boxcar train, but was unable to do so in time to avoid striking Reed. The police report says Reed’s leg was severed in three places.

The report said that at the time of the incident, the train was traveling at rate of 38 mph.

According to Reed’s girlfriend, he was intoxicated earlier in the evening. Police discovered a bottle of alcohol under the train.