Pedestrian killed by Amtrak train identified as Auburn man


April 12, 2012 · Updated 3:05 PM 

A northbound Amtrak train struck and killed an Auburn man trying to cross Burlington Northern Santa Fe's rail yard in Auburn Tuesday evening, according to a BNSF spokesman.

The King County Medical Examiner's office on Thursday identified the victim as Degen H. Gebru, 26, and listed the cause of death as multiple skeletal fractures, visceral lacerations and blunt force injuries of the head, neck, torso and extremities.

Witnesses said Gebru, a former Auburn High School student, climbed through an idle freight train, then stepped in front of the oncoming Amtrak train shortly after 6 p.m. It remains unclear if Gebru saw the approaching train.

BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas said passenger and freight train traffic through the area was temporarily delayed.

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