Two riders were headed across a bridge in the same direction as the westbound train, Norfolk Southern says.
A 22-year-old man died after he and another dirt-biker were struck by a train Friday evening as they crossed a trestle in Phillipsburg.
The accident happened about 6:45 p.m., and the bikers had been going in the same direction as the westbound train, according to a Norfolk Southern spokeswoman. Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke confirmed the fatality and the man's age, and said the investigation is ongoing.
In the twilight hours, a growing group of people gathered in the driveway of a home on Kent Street in town, near a narrow trestle over the road. They tearfully embraced each other as police stood nearby.
Residents gathered farther up the block at Hill Street as word of the accident spread.
They said the area is popular for dirt bikes and 4-wheelers. But the neighbors lamented that there seems to be few places to ride without risk, especially that area where the bridge is wide enough for the train and little else.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.