Brightline train hits Fort Lauderdale pedestrian, third person in eight days

Another person was hit by a Brightline train Friday night, according to Fort Lauderdale Police, the third instance in just over a week.

The nonfatal incident occurred after a pedestrian tried to beat an oncoming train at Northeast Third Avenue and North Flagler Drive, said Detective Tracy Figone, Fort Lauderdale Police Department spokeswoman.

"The gates were down, lights flashing as the pedestrian attempted to cross tracks," Figone said Friday.

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The man was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and trains are back in service, she said.

In a statement Friday night, a Brightline spokesman said: “Incidents like these can be avoided and train warnings need to be treated exactly like red lights, stop signs and crosswalks.”

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Friday's incident followed two recent fatalities by Brightline trains. Melissa Lavell, on Jan. 12, and Jeffrey D. King, on Wednesday, died after being struck by Brightline trains in Boynton Beach.

Brightline began service Saturday.

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