by Bea Peterson
Charles Niles, 27, of Buskirk is in serious condition in Albany Medical Center Hospital after a train ran over his lower legs at 5:45 Sunday afternoon, March 15. One foot was severed, the other severely injured. The accident occurred on the tracks between Center and Elm Streets. The Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad headquarters is located only a short distance from the site. Alerted by the sounds of the train’s emergency brakes, the duty crew began preparations to respond, if necessary. They were at the site almost instantly. Niles was taken by ambulance to the Squad building which has a Medevac helicopter landing pad. He was transported to Albany Med in the helicopter.
According to Hoosick Falls Police Chief Robert Whalen, Niles had been drinking. When the engine, with a cow catcher on the front, struck him his torso was between the rails.
According to Cynthia Scarano of Pam Am Railroad the train was traveling at 10 miles per hour. The engineers saw something on the tracks and realized it was a person. They sounded the horn and applied the emergency brake, but it was too late. The first engine rolled over Niles’ legs. The engineers, she said, are “doing okay.” They have been offered assistance. The engineer has not been suspended as there was no wrongdoing on his part.
According to reports, Niles has undergone surgery and has lost both feet and a portion of his lower legs. Scarano said he could face NYS misdemeanor trespassing charges for being on a railroad right of way.
Six trains pass through Hoosick Falls every 24 hours. The last accident in the Village, a fatality, occurred ten years ago.