Amtrak Train Hits, Kills Person Near Baltimore Airport

An Amtrak Acela train struck and killed a person south of Baltimore late this morning, slowing service to and from Washington. Amtrak says it is hopeful trains will be running on schedule in time for the afternoon commute.

The person was killed about 11:25 a.m., just south of Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport, said Karina Romero, an Amtrak spokeswoman. No information about the victim was immediately available.

The 142 passengers on the train, many of whom had begun their trip before dawn in Boston, were transferred to a MARC Penn Line train to complete their trip to the District, Romero said.

The Acela train might have been traveling near its authorized speed of 125 mph when the person was struck, Romero said. The actual speed and cause of the crash will be determined during an investigation, she said.

Initially, the accident shut two of the three tracks in the Linthicum area, Romero said. One had reopened by 1:30 p.m. Amtrak and Marc Penn Line trains were running five to 20 minutes late, she said.