Charleston teen dies after struck by train in Bluford

RORYE O'CONNOR CNHI

BLUFORD — A Charleston teen was struck and killed by a train Friday afternoon.

Jefferson County Sheriff Roger Mulch said the body of 13-year-old Kyle Tyler Vandeveer was discovered on the railroad tracks under the Short Street railroad trestle in Bluford after a call from CN Railway personnel reported hitting a person at 12:21 p.m.

Mulch said the teen and his family frequently visited his grandfather, who lives in Bluford, and the boy would typically go off exploring during his visits or walk the railroad tracks.

Witness and railroad accounts during the investigation reveal that Vandeveer was alone underneath the trestle when he was struck by a southbound CN train, information from Mulch states.

“We don’t know what happened,” he said. “We may never know.”

About a year ago, another fatality occurred at the same location, according to Bob Buttrum of Webber Fire Protection District, when a man was struck by a train.

Foul play is not suspected at this time, and the incident is still under investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Illinois State Police, Jefferson County Coroner and CN Railroad.

Chaplain Dan Lovin of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, left, speaks with Jefferson County Sheriff Roger Mulch at the Short Street bridge in Bluford. Jefferson County authorities say a 12 to 13-year-old boy died on the CN train tracks beneath the bridge Friday afternoon after being struck by a train. Officials continue to investigate the incident.