San Antonio, October 22, 2025
News Summary
A tragic incident occurred in San Antonio when a middle-aged man was fatally struck by a freight train while illegally walking on the tracks. Authorities were called to the scene near Wetmore Road and Broadway. Concurrently, a separate event unfolded when five empty Union Pacific rail cars derailed near Austin and Duval Streets. Thankfully, no injuries were reported from the derailment, but the cleanup is expected to last several hours as investigations continue into both incidents.
San Antonio — A person was fatally struck by a train on San Antonio’s north side Tuesday evening, and a separate derailment of empty rail cars occurred nearby, creating two distinct scenes for investigators and rail crews.
What happened (top-line)
The incident occurred around 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday. First responders were called to the scene near Wetmore Road and Broadway. A middle-aged male was found with severe injuries and pronounced dead at the scene. The victim has not yet been identified. Investigators stated the male was walking on the tracks illegally. He became stuck on a bridge when a freight train was approaching. Detectives and the rail company are continuing to investigate the situation.
Separate derailment details
In a separate incident, five empty Union Pacific rail cars derailed in San Antonio. The derailment occurred near Austin and Duval Streets. No injuries were reported from the derailment. The derailed cars stopped just short of busy traffic on Austin Street. Around 10 crew members arrived within the hour to reverse the derailment. The cleanup process is expected to take four to five hours. Union Pacific officials mentioned that the cars sank into dirt and gravel during the derailment. A Verizon responder was present to assist in avoiding underground fiber-optic cables. The incident caused noticeable shaking in a nearby workshop. Traffic remained stopped at intersections crossing the tracks after the derailment. Union Pacific confirmed the derailment but did not provide information on its cause. Cleanup for the derailment was underway at the time of reporting.
Immediate response and safety
Emergency responders and rail personnel secured both scenes. At the location near Wetmore Road and Broadway, detectives took charge of the investigation and coordinated with the rail company to examine the bridge and tracks. At the derailment site near Austin and Duval Streets, rail crews prioritized stabilizing the cars, protecting nearby infrastructure, and avoiding damage to underground fiber-optic lines with the assistance of a Verizon responder.
Traffic and local impact
Traffic controls were put in place at intersections that cross the tracks, and vehicles were held while crews worked to reverse the derailment and clear debris. The derailed cars stopped just short of busy traffic on Austin Street, and drivers in nearby areas reported feeling shaking in at least one workshop close to the scene. Authorities did not report any injuries from the derailment, and the fatal incident remains an active investigation.
Investigation status and next steps
Detectives and the rail company are continuing to investigate the situation involving the fatality. Union Pacific confirmed the derailment but did not provide information on its cause. Cleanup operations were underway and expected to continue for several hours while crews assessed track and right-of-way condition before restoring normal traffic and rail service.
Background and safety reminders
Rail corridors and bridges can present significant hazards when people are on or near active tracks. Authorities routinely advise the public to avoid walking on tracks and to use marked crossings to reduce the risk of accidents. In this multi-incident response, both emergency services and rail crews focused on preserving safety for the public and for responding personnel while carrying out investigative and cleanup duties.
FAQ
When did the fatal incident occur?
The incident occurred around 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday.
Where were first responders called for the fatal incident?
First responders were called to the scene near Wetmore Road and Broadway.
What was the condition of the person struck by the train?
A middle-aged male was found with severe injuries and pronounced dead at the scene.
Has the victim been identified?
The victim has not yet been identified.
Was the person on the tracks lawfully?
Investigators stated the male was walking on the tracks illegally.
How did the fatal incident occur?
He became stuck on a bridge when a freight train was approaching.
Who is investigating the fatal incident?
Detectives and the rail company are continuing to investigate the situation.
Was there another rail incident nearby?
In a separate incident, five empty Union Pacific rail cars derailed in San Antonio.
Where did the derailment occur?
The derailment occurred near Austin and Duval Streets.
Were there injuries from the derailment?
No injuries were reported from the derailment.
How close were the derailed cars to traffic?
The derailed cars stopped just short of busy traffic on Austin Street.
How many crew members responded to the derailment?
Around 10 crew members arrived within the hour to reverse the derailment.
How long is cleanup expected to take?
The cleanup process is expected to take four to five hours.
What did Union Pacific officials say about the derailment?
Union Pacific officials mentioned that the cars sank into dirt and gravel during the derailment.
Did anyone assist with underground infrastructure concerns?
A Verizon responder was present to assist in avoiding underground fiber-optic cables.
Were there secondary effects reported nearby?
The incident caused noticeable shaking in a nearby workshop.
What happened to traffic during the derailment cleanup?
Traffic remained stopped at intersections crossing the tracks after the derailment.
Has Union Pacific explained the cause of the derailment?
Union Pacific confirmed the derailment but did not provide information on its cause.
What was the status of cleanup when reported?
Cleanup for the derailment was underway at the time of reporting.
Key facts table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fatal incident time | around 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday |
| Fatal incident location | near Wetmore Road and Broadway |
| Victim | A middle-aged male; has not yet been identified |
| Derailment | five empty Union Pacific rail cars near Austin and Duval Streets |
| Injuries from derailment | No injuries were reported from the derailment |
| Cleanup time | four to five hours (expected) |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status/Source |
|---|---|---|
| around 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday | Person fatally struck by a train | First responders called to the scene near Wetmore Road and Broadway |
| shortly after (same evening) | Five empty Union Pacific rail cars derailed | The derailment occurred near Austin and Duval Streets |
| Within the hour | Around 10 crew members arrived | Crew response to reverse the derailment |
| During reporting | Cleanup for the derailment was underway | The cleanup process is expected to take four to five hours |
Simple visual charts
Responding crew size (relative):
Expected cleanup duration (range):
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Additional Resources
- News4SanAntonio
- Wikipedia: Train Accident
- KENS5
- Google Search: Train Accident San Antonio
- FOX 7 Austin
- Google Scholar: Amtrak Train Crash Texas
- Express News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Train Incidents
- San Antonio Current
- Google News: Union Pacific Derailment San Antonio
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