This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

An accident that left a man pinned under a TRAX train Monday morning shut down all TRAX lines for about an hour and significantly delayed commute times.

According to UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter, a white male in his early 20s stepped in front of a TRAX train near 2100 South and 200 West around 6:30 a.m. The man reportedly was stuck beneath the train for about 45 minutes before being rescued by South Salt Lake fire crews.

The accident forced the complete closure of 2100 South, as well as all three TRAX lines. In response, UTA brought in buses for commuters although significant delays resulted.

The scene was cleared around 7:40 a.m., at which time all TRAX lines resumed service and 2100 South reopened but residual delays continued for some time.

Carpenter said the man was eventually taken to an area hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. Authorities do not know if he accidentally or intentionally stepped in front of the train. However, Carpenter said the man was trespassing on the tracks when the crossing gates were down and the lights were flashing. Carpenter also said that the train — which was traveling between 30 and 35 mph as it neared a station — blew its horn but would have required as much as 600 feet to stop.

By Monday afternoon the man was in stable condition and was expected to recover, Carpenter said. Authorities have not released his name and are still trying to determine why he was on the tracks.

Weather was not a factor in the incident, Carpenter added.

According to Carpenter, the incident illustrates the importance of obeying safety rules regarding train crossings.

"Never trespass and always obey safety equipment," he said.

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