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NEW INFO: Man Hit and Killed by Train in Ironton Save Email Print
Posted: 12:58 PM May 6, 2008
 Last Updated: 12:57 PM May 6, 2008
 Reporter: Paul Gessler
Email Address: paul.gessler@wsaz.com
45 comments
A | A | A

IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) – A man died after being hit by a train Friday night in Ironton.

Police say David Monroe was the victim. He was 29 years old and a resident at the Close to Home assisted living facility in Ironton.

Ironton detectives say that Monroe appeared to be walking on the tracks when the train hit him. It happened just off the 600 block of North Second Street around 9:30pm.

Detectives now say that Monroe may not have heard the train since he was wearing a head set and CD player.
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Posted by: Melissa on Jun 3, 2008 at 01:39 AM
I think everyone in Ironton needs to start paying mind to everything that is happening around there. I hate to hear that something bad has happened in my home town and it is really sad that almost everything that has happened in the past few years could have been avoided with alittle caution. I also think that everyone needs to ask one question, do we really want Ironton to be known for only bad things. I live in have lived in Georgia for 5 years and it seems like everytime I hear about anything that is going on it is all bad stuff. I am ashamed to tell people that I am from Ironton because it seems like the unjustified deaths and crime rates just keep climbing and nobody is doing anything to try to stop the problem. It seems like everyone is standing back watching this take place but don't want to fight to get your town back to the way it was. What is wrong with you people? Ironton is your home and you need to fight for it. I would love to hear about the good things and not the bad.
Posted by: Michelle on May 8, 2008 at 09:59 AM
I just don't understand what people get when they walk the tracks? What is so thrilling about that? To me even getting close to them gives me the chills because I know what can happen when you are on them.
Posted by: anonymous on May 7, 2008 at 05:07 PM
was alcohol involved? good chance if he had been down by the river all evening. being from a place where trains go through all the time you would think he would have known to stay off the track. besides tracks are private property. i fell more sorry for the workers on the train that have to deal with the aftermath of the event
Posted by: Janie on May 6, 2008 at 02:33 PM
He had just came from the river, an evening of fishing or sitting by the river. He had headphones on, maybe his music was load and he was thinking the vibrations were from his music, he did have an mentally handicap problem. Please don't think it was sucide. Not David he would never commit sucide. Pray for his family.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 6, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Maybe its time people use just plain 'ol common sense and stay off the tracks.
Posted by: David on May 6, 2008 at 08:31 AM
It is a train people. It isn't like you cant see or hear it coming. And you know where it is going to go it is on tracks. All you have to do is step out of the way. It isn't like it is going to turn and run you down. I have walked tracks before and never have I had this problem. I feel grief for those who have died but it all comes down to common since. I cant speak for any one else but I tend to let the bigger object have the right of way in every situation.
Posted by: Ace on May 5, 2008 at 10:29 PM
It`s a shame that a man lost his life, i think its about time for the train companies to put up some fence up in heavely populated areas to keep people off their property. And then when they catch tresspassers, press charges and don`t back down. And our law makers need to make the fines so stiff they wont do it again,AND WHEN PEOPLE SEE PEOPLE on the tracks,CALL THE POLICE ,TAKE A STAND,AND MAYBE WE Wont HAVE TO HEar ABOUT THIS anyMORE...
Posted by: Sara on May 5, 2008 at 08:57 PM
Maybe it is time for the trains to reduce speed in Ironton for a period of time. I don't know how fast they go and this is not to say that these incidents are their fault in any way, however maybe going a little slower may enable them to provide more warning to someone that is on the tracks and not paying attention. Sympathy to the family of David and thoughts and prayers to the conductor of the train. God Bless you all.
Posted by: . . . on May 5, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I think that this is a terrible thing that happened and for some people to be so inconsiderate. I mean a man is dead and all everyone is worried about is the fact that he didn't hear it or that he committed suicide. It doesn't matter why or how it happened the point is that a life is gone and nobody is realizing that.
Posted by: ty on May 5, 2008 at 08:54 AM
My prayers go out to Mr. Monroe's family. This is yet again, another sad situation, but seriously, people are just asking to be killed when they are around the tracks like that. My husband is an engineer for Norfolk Southern and was actually on a train just outside Ironton when this happened. People never learn that trains cannot stop instantly and of the danger you are putting yourself in every time you get on or near the tracks. Think of the train men and the nightmares they have to live every time they come by the accident sights or even get on the tracks for that matter. People please learn how serious it is to stay away from the train tracks. So many lives could be saved!!!
Posted by: greenvalleyresident on May 5, 2008 at 08:53 AM
The fact is that he was mentally handicapped and wearing headphones. That and train tracks don't mix well together.
Posted by: trains on May 4, 2008 at 10:16 PM
2008 totals trains - 2 people - 0
Posted by: anonymous on May 4, 2008 at 09:35 PM
I think it so sad how people talk about some one who was struck by a train! Not every one hit by a train commits suicide! Most people don't! Some people are shoved into a train, beat and put on the tracks to cover it up, which would be attempted murder twice! It happens more often than people think! TO: KIMBERLY, If you are a Inocent Victim of a Volient Crime and beat to a death stage and couldn't move,and you were placed on the track, it is not suicide! You stupid people should have respect toward this man that is dead and his family, regardless of how it happened! I wish his family the strength they need to get get through this trauma in their life!
Posted by: Joy on May 4, 2008 at 09:18 PM
This is so sad a young life taken. PLEASE remember the family in prayer this young man had a very troubled life an such a horrible way to die.We all need more compassion, for this family.
Posted by: JW on May 4, 2008 at 06:33 PM
Attn: Education pays. During the course of your education did anyone ever try to educate you in manners. You don't take the death of another human being and turn it into a mud slinging contest. Please have respect for the family of the lost sole and at least use a little kindness for their sake. God loves us all. Don't matter how we spell luv as long as we show it. May God hold his hand and walk thru the valley of death with him.
Posted by: linda on May 4, 2008 at 06:26 PM
david used to live in my home,we will all miss you at bryants care home!my sympothy goes out to davids mother.
Posted by: kimberly on May 4, 2008 at 04:16 PM
i think that anybody who gets hit by a train commits suicide beacuse you can feel and hear the train coming.The vibrations of the train are strong.If you have an ipod in or whatever you can still hear the whistles.
Posted by: MIchelle on May 4, 2008 at 10:46 AM
I live 6 blocks from the train tracks and my windows shake when they even blow their whistle so what I can't figure out is why all of these people are not getting out of the way.
Posted by: nsrailroader on May 4, 2008 at 08:42 AM
a locomotive weighs 400,000lbs, cars can carry (coal cars)about half that in weight, so if you see a train with 80 or 200 cars, 1 or more locomotives, how much weight do you think that is??? Doing 60mph in your vehicle, jam your brakes, do you stop instantly? and you are just in a puny 2,000lbs vehicle... Try to stop a train, all that weight and momentum, it isn't easy... Why do people get hit? Is it SUICIDE??? you know they hear the horn, feel the vibration, maybe they wanna get hit? I don't know??? When you are on a locomotive (train) and you see someone or a vehicle on the tracks, it is an awful feeling, a sickening feeling, you apply all the brakes, ALL of them, but you know what is going to happen... some people can't return to work after stuff like that, some do but are not the same...
Posted by: Mr.&Mrs. Tom Mansfield on May 4, 2008 at 06:03 AM
Why was he on the track?!?!?!? People just need to stay away from the tracks there is no reason to be that close!!!!!
Posted by: dirty on May 4, 2008 at 05:43 AM
Someone should teach people not to travel on train tracks.NOT SMART.You cant win.
Posted by: Chick on May 3, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Umm I don't understand why so many people are being hit by trains.. do they not hear them coming? This is sad.. if your on drugs and drunk.. DONT GO NEAR TRAIN TRACKS! If you're sober.. walk in the park or on a sidewalk.. not train tracks, that's just stupid!
Posted by: Linda on May 3, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Wow, I thought Ironton was relatively quiet, but lately it seems like someone is being run over all the time. Prayers to the family and friends of the deceased.
Posted by: MIKE on May 3, 2008 at 10:48 PM
This is awful. But the fact remains. If you get hit by a train its your fault.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 3, 2008 at 10:07 PM
I hate some of the heartless comments that have been left on here. Dont any of you think that this may not have been something that he intended to do in his right mind? Nobody knows the circumstances to this tragedy yet.
Posted by: iron-town on May 3, 2008 at 09:10 PM
ok. dont lay in the streets dont walk on train tracks you might die in ironton
Posted by: RRSLSD on May 3, 2008 at 02:43 PM
An engineer isn't able to stop a train on a dime. Once they see someone all they can do is throw on the brakes and blow the whistle. They have alot of weight on those trains. What I don't understand is why some (not all) of these people are hanging around train tracks and why they don't they hear or feel the trains. I live 8 blocks from the tracks and I can hear and even feel the vibration from them without any problem.
Posted by: Angie on May 3, 2008 at 01:31 PM
My mother works were he lived.I know she is very upset and so are all the other workers there.We will all miss him
Posted by: DEATH CITY on May 3, 2008 at 11:21 AM
ANOTHER ONE KILLED HERE IN IRONTON. FRIDAY NIGHT THERE WAS A MAN DIED IN A BAR ON THIRD STREET TO. IRONTON HAS A (REAL GOOD NAME).
Posted by: Ironton Man on May 3, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Ironton has plenty of sidewalks, which are being beautified today. People should know better than to walk on train tracks, because that is where the train goes. People do not walk in the middle of the street to avoid being hit by cars, and trains are much larger and louder than a car. WAKE UP PEOPLE.
Posted by: Education Pays on May 3, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Attn: Rob, (1143)- I hope you can umpire better than you can spell.
Posted by: Charles on May 3, 2008 at 10:11 AM
hi this is the second train hit
Posted by: Labgirlys on May 3, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Why don't people just stay off the tracks?!?!?! There is no reason to be that close......so....STAY OFF THE TRACKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on May 3, 2008 at 09:50 AM
i really like paul gessler's reporting, he can be really comical at times. but when reporting a death, the person can not be "currently" dead. they are either dead or not dead.
Posted by: Bev on May 3, 2008 at 05:36 AM
This is the second train fatality in 3 days. I hope there won't be a third.
Posted by: MARV on May 3, 2008 at 04:25 AM
Heard tonight from someone on the scene that the train was headed down river and that the person was hit at the center street crossing and the train stopped around the overpass. also heard that it was a pedestrian not a driver.
Posted by: brent roach on May 3, 2008 at 02:09 AM
I was at work, when it happened. i saw the train pass by, then itjust stoped
Posted by: tami on May 3, 2008 at 01:38 AM
this is awful that is a bad place around them tracks this is what 4 deaths on them in the past year wasnt there one last month a lady from ironton
Posted by: Ironton on May 3, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Midnight-2nd street is open now.
Posted by: Travis on May 2, 2008 at 11:58 PM
My aunt says that the train ran over a vehicle and carried it for some distance. They stopped the train and reversed it. She says that the vehicle is right underneath the underpass(30 min ago)
Posted by: Drove By on May 2, 2008 at 11:47 PM
I was drving past there and saw the train parked on the tracks. I shortly than saw ploice man and fire truck, and was not able to go all the way down second st! I was wondering was going one! And I hope that it was not suicide!!
Posted by: Rob on May 2, 2008 at 11:43 PM
i was umpireing the game when i heard the brakes lock up on th train and i was woundering wut had happened then 1 of the parents had said that some 1 has been killed then after the game i seen the police on the over pass form the feild and then i know it wasnt good but no kidds from the game was hurt tho
Posted by: bill on May 2, 2008 at 11:27 PM
if the train was stopped by the overpass where did the person get hit? It takes a long distance for a train to stop and the ball fields are right where the train was stopped.
Posted by: COALGROVE on May 2, 2008 at 11:05 PM
WOW IN IRONTON AGAIN ?
Posted by: Driver-By on May 2, 2008 at 10:57 PM
We drove by shortly after this happened. The train was stopped with the front being down by the UNDERpass. Police blocked the overpass off after we went over... and were looking around with flashlights. Downtown is a chaotic mess... with people wandering around from that and a ball game letting out right there by the accident. I hope it's not a child from that game.
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