According to Assistant Poteau Police Chief, Greg Russell, on July 4, 2019 at 6:28pm, Poteau Police and LeFlore County EMS were dispatched to the railroad tracks crossing North Witte in the city limits of Poteau on a call of a pedestrian being struck by a southbound Kansas City Southern train.
On arrival, emergency personnel located a deceased, mid 40’s, white female east of the tracks, north of North Witte.
The female has been tentatively identified, but her name is being withheld until positive identification has been made and family has been notified.
Preliminary investigation shows that the female was travelling out of a wooded area with a male companion.
The female took a different route than the male and entered onto the tracks.
It is believed at this time that the female failed to move far enough off the rail bed when the train approached and that the collision was accidental.
UPDATE : The female has been identified as Tina Jo Hickman, 43, of Poteau.
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