On Wednesday morning (January 18th) at 10:13 AM,  the Lincolnton Police Department and other agencies were dispatched to an incident involving a pedestrian being struck by a train.  The pedestrian, identified as Jonathan William Elmore, 37, appeared to have been walking west in the middle of the railroad tracks between Edwards and Flint streets.  A CSX train was also traveling west, and as it approached Elmore, the train engineer said he blasted the horn several times but  Elmore seemed to be unaware the train was behind him.  The train was unable to avoid striking Elmore and he was found deceased when first responders arrived. 

Investigators were unable to determine why Elmore, who had recently been staying at the Hesed House shelter, remained on the railroad tracks.  The train that struck him was two engines and 18 cars.  Assisting police during the incident were CSX personnel, Lincoln County EMS, Lincoln County Emergency Management, and the Lincolnton Fire Department.  The investigation is ongoing, however, it appears to have been a tragic accident.