STATESVILLE, N.C. -- Authorities say a man who was waiting with several friends for a "ghost train" from a North Carolina legend was killed when a real train came down the tracks.
Iredell County Sheriff Phil Redmond says 29-year-old Christopher Kaiser of Charlotte was killed about 2:45 a.m. Friday as he waited with friends at a railroad trestle.
Redmond says witnesses said about 12 people were on the trestle hoping to see a ghost train.
Instead, a real Norfolk-Southern train -- three engines and one car -- turned the corner.
The terrified "amateur ghost watchers" ran away, back toward Statesville, trying to cover the nearly 150 feet to safety, said Iredell County Sheriff's Office Capt. Darren Campbell.
All but two made it.A woman who witnesses say Kaiser pushed to safety fell about 30 to 40 feet from the trestle and was injured.
The train struck Kaiser, who was thrown into a ravine.
The legend developed from the Bostian Bridge Train Wreck 119 years ago.
On August 27, 1891, a passenger train jumped the tracks on a tall bridge near Statesville, North Carolina, sending seven rail cars below and about 30 people to their deaths.
On the wreck's anniversary, legend says the sounds of screeching wheels, screaming passengers and a horrific crash might still be heard.
You might also see a uniformed man with a gold watch.
Iredell County Sheriff Phil Redmond says 29-year-old Christopher Kaiser of Charlotte was killed about 2:45 a.m. Friday as he waited with friends at a railroad trestle.
Redmond says witnesses said about 12 people were on the trestle hoping to see a ghost train.
Instead, a real Norfolk-Southern train -- three engines and one car -- turned the corner.
The terrified "amateur ghost watchers" ran away, back toward Statesville, trying to cover the nearly 150 feet to safety, said Iredell County Sheriff's Office Capt. Darren Campbell.
All but two made it.A woman who witnesses say Kaiser pushed to safety fell about 30 to 40 feet from the trestle and was injured.
The train struck Kaiser, who was thrown into a ravine.
The legend developed from the Bostian Bridge Train Wreck 119 years ago.
On August 27, 1891, a passenger train jumped the tracks on a tall bridge near Statesville, North Carolina, sending seven rail cars below and about 30 people to their deaths.
On the wreck's anniversary, legend says the sounds of screeching wheels, screaming passengers and a horrific crash might still be heard.
You might also see a uniformed man with a gold watch.
