A tragedy unfolded on Thursday morning here in Provo, as a 36 year old man was hit by a Union Pacific freight train near 600 South Freedom Boulevard around 10:15 a.m.

The man was reportedly walking north and approached a railroad crossing while the safety barriers were lowered, the warning lights flashing and the alarms sounding.

According to Provo Police Department spokeswoman Jana-Lee Holland, the pedestrian bypassed the lowered barrier but did not appear to see the approaching train, resulting in the fatal collision.

First responders and police secured the area, causing Freedom Boulevard to be shut down for two hours while investigators processed the scene. The incident has officially been classified as an accident.

Authorities are currently withholding the name of the victim. The Provo Police Department and Union Pacific are conducting a joint investigation into the matter.

This devastating accident serves as a tragic reminder to the community of the importance of obeying all warnings at railroad crossings. These lowered gates and signals are in place to save lives as trains are deceptively fast and cannot stop quickly.  Bypassing such barriers is extremely dangerous and illegal.