Two pedestrians killed in separate MBTA Commuter Rail incidents

Two MBTA Commuter Rail Pedestrian Fatalities Occur Fifteen Minutes Apart in Boston and Abington

Two separate MBTA Commuter Rail trains struck and killed pedestrians in Boston and Abington, bringing transit operations to delays across multiple lines, according to transit officials. The initial incident took place near the Readville station in Hyde Park at approximately 3:55 p.m., where an adult man was struck. Just fifteen minutes later, at 4:10 p.m., an adult woman was struck by a commuter rail train near the station in Abington. Both individuals were pronounced dead at the respective scenes.

Transit Police Detail How Both Collisions Occurred

Richard Sullivan, superintendent of the MBTA Transit Police Department, provided specific operational details regarding how both collisions occurred. Writing in a statement cited by Boston.com, Sullivan stated that the man at the Readville station intentionally placed himself in the path of the oncoming train. In the Abington incident, the woman accessed the right of way through a crossing on Summer Street, walked one-eighth of a mile down the tracks, and was struck while standing in the path of travel.

Transit Police detectives processed both collision sites, and officials reported that no further updates regarding the identities of the deceased would be released. Superintendent Sullivan issued a formal statement on behalf of the Transit Police Department and the broader MBTA organization:

🚆 Commuter Rail trains on the Kingston, Providence/Stoughton, and Franklin/Foxboro Lines are experiencing significant delays due to separate instances of police activity in Abington and Readville. Delays are likely to continue into the evening. Shuttle buses are replacing…

— https://x.com/MBTA_CR/status/2117744637859295545

“On behalf of the Transit Police Department and the entire MBTA organization, we offer our most sincere condolences to the decedent’s family and friends. They are in our thoughts and prayers.”

The simultaneous investigations forced widespread service disruptions across the regional rail network. Keolis Commuter Service, the operating partner for the MBTA, reported that significant delays affected the Kingston, Providence/Stoughton, and Franklin/Foxboro lines into the evening hours. To manage the blockage, shuttle buses replaced trains between Braintree and Kingston, while inbound trains along the Franklin/Foxboro and Providence/Stoughton lines bypassed the Ruggles and Back Bay stops entirely.

WJAR reported that the Providence Line suffered severe delays in both directions immediately following the 3:55 p.m. strike in Readville as police activity secured the right of way. Passengers were advised to consult MBTA service alerts for real-time adjustments before attempting to travel.