Woman killed by train in Polk County stayed on the tracks

Arkansas-Wofford Live Blog

Polk County authorities are investigating a fatal collision between a pedestrian and a train that happened Wednesday morning around 11:30 a.m., according to a release from the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Officials said a woman's body, tentatively identified as Brittany Mitchell of Summerville, Ga., was found lying on the tracks just south of the York Road crossing.

The train engineer and conductor told authorities they saw Mitchell "lying in the tracks with her head facing north, feet facing south and looking toward the east," according to the release.

"They stated they hit the braking system with audible alarms already active due to crossing ahead but stated [the] female didn't leave the tracks prior to impact," officials state.

The investigation is ongoing pending autopsy results.

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