A 23-year-old Sumter man died Sunday afternoon after being struck by a CSX train in Clarendon County, according to the Clarendon County Coroner’s Office.
Clarendon County Fire Rescue units responded around 4:15 p.m. May 31 to the area near the intersection of Ramsal Road and June Burn Road after receiving reports of a train-versus-pedestrian incident.
According to Clarendon County Coroner Jacqueline Blackwell, Xavier Devon Knight was fishing near the railroad tracks with a friend when a CSX train approached and began sounding its horn.
Blackwell said Knight was unable to get off the tracks in time and was struck by the train.
Emergency medical personnel and rescue crews responded to the scene, but Knight was pronounced dead there. No other injuries were reported.
Clarendon County Fire Rescue said responders found the victim on the tracks suffering fatal injuries. During the response, CSX was contacted to halt rail traffic in the area.
The train stopped at the scene, and CSX officials responded to assist with the investigation, according to the coroner’s office. Deputies with the Clarendon County Sheriff's Office also assisted.
Authorities said the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation by CSX officials.
An autopsy is scheduled for June 4 at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
