By VICKIE JAMBON

Staff Reporter

HAHNVILLE – A 45-year-old Houma man – lying on railroad tracks in Paradis – was struck by a freight train Monday morning at approximately 1:06 a.m.

According to authorities with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, an engineer steering a Burlington Northern Railroad train headed into the Paradis area observed Orlando Smith of 208 Kraemer St, Houma lying on the tracks at milepost 27.

The engineer tried to warn Smith of the approaching train by sounding his horn, but his efforts were unsuccessful.

The engineer continued that Smith managed to sit up right before the train struck him.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Belongings found on the white male provided authorities with Smith’s identity.

Chief of Investigations Maj. Sam Zinna said a toxicology report would determine the cause of death. It was not known at the time if alcohol was involved.

A freight train cannot stop on a dime, said Chief Crime Deputy Chief Joseph Cardella. He added that an engineer needs a certain amount of time to brake a train this size.

“It’s a tragedy. It’s a real tragedy,” said Cardella.