Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / CN Rail has told the City of Chilliwack that it will reinstitute train whistling in Chilliwack after a person was struck and killed by a train earlier this week. RCMP responded Wednesday morning, June 5 to Eagle Landing Parkway after a man was struck and killed by a train. 
CN Rail

CN Rail makes immediate change in Chilliwack after a man died from being hit by a train

Jun 9, 2024 | 5:10 PM

CHILLIWACK — CN Rail has told the City of Chilliwack that it will reinstitute train whistling in Chilliwack after a person was struck and killed by a train earlier this week.

According to a directive posted on the city’s website, CN Rail has informed the municipality that by order from Transport Canada, effective immediately, they have re-instituted train whistling between mile 70.3 (Prest Road crossing) and mile 75 (Industrial Way crossing) in response to a recent fatality on the tracks.

A Chilliwack RCMP spokesperson told Fraser Valley Today that a man died after being struck by a train Wednesday morning (June 5). According to a statement from Corporal Carmen Kiener, Mounties in Chilliwack responded to a report of a pedestrian being struck by a train near Eagle Landing Parkway. On arrival, Chilliwack RCMP officers located a deceased male in the area that had suffered injuries consistent with being struck by a train. The male has been identified, Cpl. Kiener said, and his identity will not be released at this time as police attempt to contact his family. The B.C. Coroners Service will be working with Chilliwack RCMP to determine what led up to the incident, Cpl. Kiener said.

The City of Chilliwack says it has invested in significant upgrades to local rail crossings to reduce the need for train whistles in the community, and runs regular rail safety educational campaigns. Whistle cessation has been in place at the City’s road crossings between Prest Road to Evans Rd since 1984.

“The City is encouraging CN Rail to increase their investment in more secure, protective fencing to make it more difficult for people to access tracks at known trespass locations,” the city wrote in a statement on its website. “We remind all residents to never walk or play on or near the train tracks and to use caution walking, wheeling or cycling at designated road-rail crossings. For rail safety tips, please visit chilliwack.com/RailSafety.”

Chilliwack residents who have concerns or complaints should contact CN Rail directly on their public inquiry line: 1-888-888-5909, or contact@cn.ca.

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