Railroad crossing attendant killed by passing train

A 28-year old Anderson County man died Friday afternoon when hit by a westbound Norfolk Southern train traveling from Greenville to Toccoa, Georgia. Oconee Coroner Karl Addis said the victim, across from the Hartwell Village shopping center, was Song Keun Im. Addis quoted Im’s father as saying his son was a Korean American and a U-S Army veteran. Im was working his first day as a crossing attendant where a private road crosses the railroad to an apartment complex construction site. It was his duty to be the lookout for oncoming trains and alert vehicle drivers when it was safe to cross. Addis gave this account: “The initial investigation based on reports from the crew of the train, the victim was sitting at the crossing grade on the pavement with his back to the oncoming train. The crew reported he appeared to be looking down when he was struck. The victim was thrown approximately 45 feet after impact; he died at the scene from blunt force trauma. His cellular telephone was lying nearby along with ear buds.” An autopsy takes place Sunday. The death of Song Keun Im is being investigated by the Norfolk Southern Police, Oconee Sheriff’s Office, and the Oconee Coroner’s Office.