Train conductor killed in fatal accident
MARQUETTE, Mich. – A 51-year-old conductor was killed Sunday (April 2) in a fatal accident at the Tilden Mine train yard, state police told the Associated Press.
Kim Nicholls, of Marquette, who was the conductor on the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad train, fell off the rear of the train while it backed up, police said.
Nicholls died after being struck by the backing train.
Officials, including some from the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, were investigating the accident.
Nicholls was a 12-year rail employee with approximately two years in train and engine service, according to UTU Michigan State Legislative Director Jerry Gibson. Kim was not married and leaves behind a mother, Gibson said.
(This item was distributed by the Associated Press April 3, 2006. Information in parenthesis added by UTU editors.)