A 23-year-old homeless man who was asleep on the tracks survived being run over by a freight train in Goucester City last night.
The train was proceeding through the center of Gloucester City at about 11:30 when an engineer spotted what he initially believed to be debris, said Gloucester City Police Lt. Brian Morrell.
Operators of the train hit the brakes and blew the horn but the man, who has not been identified by police, did not move.
Officers found the victim pinned under one of the train's wheels by his arm, screaming in pain. He was taken to Cooper University Hospital where he is in "critical but stable condition." .
The victim is known to police as a member of the Delaware River town's resident homeless population and a heavy drinker, Morrell said. Police found a partially consumed 24-ounce can of beer near where the man had fallen asleep.
"He did live with his father before in Gloucester City, but I think the dad lost the house and he's been on the street ever since," Morrell said.
