WAMAC, IL — Wamac police are reporting a 31-year-old man was killed early Saturday morning when he was struck by a Burlington Northern Sante Fe freight train south of 17th Street near Kent Street.

Reports say the northbound train was approaching the 17th Street crossing just before 2 a.m. Saturday, when they noticed what they believed was a bag of clothes on the tracks.

While awaiting instructions to continue, the conductor walked to clear the tracks, knowing another southbound train that was approaching.

The conductor discovered the suspected debris was actually a pedestrian lying between the rails. He immediately notified dispatch and the proper authorities were contacted.

The Marion County Coroner’s office pronounced the man dead on the scene with injuries consistent with being struck by a train.

Police are still investigating why the man was on the tracks in the early morning hours and how he got there.

Authorities have identified the pedestrian but have withheld his name pending the notification of family members.