Tampa Motorcyclist Trying To Beat Crossing Gate Struck By Train

TAMPA, FL — A motorcyclist survived a close call with a train on Hillsborough Avenue on Tuesday.

According to Tampa police, the motorcyclist was attempting to beat the gates descending at the railroad crossing in the 2600 block of East Hillsborough Avenue when he struck a gate and lost control.

The motorcycle fell over and slid onto the railroad tracks, police said. A CSX train was traveling south on the tracks, and the conductor noticed the broken gate and saw the lights from the motorcycle. He and the train engineer immediately applied the brakes, and the motorcyclist was struck by the bottom of the train as he lay on the tracks, police said.

He was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, police said.