Woman Dies When Hit By The Amtrak Downeaster

Nyla J. Howard, 39, of South Portland was killed around 7 p.m. on Saturday when she was struck by the Amtrak Downeaster.

The incident happened near the Calvary Cemetery, just a mile south of the Portland Transportation Center.

Amtrak officials said that Howard was trespassing on the tracks when she was struck by Train 698, which was heading south from Brunswick to Boston. The same train and trip I took on Christmas Day.

68 passengers were on board during the accident and no passengers or crew members were injured. The crew on board during the accident were relieved to complete the route.

Police are investigating the accident.