A pedestrian was struck and killed by a Brightline train early Sunday in Fort Lauderdale despite efforts by fire rescue departments to save him.
“We responded to a train accident where a pedestrian was struck by a moving train. When we arrived, he was still alive, pinned under the train,” said Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue spokesman Frank Guzman in an email. “Despite a valiant effort utilizing resources from throughout our department, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, the Florida East Coast Railway, and others, the patient lost a pulse during the rescue attempt and was pronounced deceased on scene shortly after being extricated.”
The victim was not identified. The incident, reported in the 700 block of North Andrews Avenue, occurred around 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
Rail corridor deaths involving Brightline trains have drawn intense scrutiny and public attention since the higher speed rail line started service in 2018. A count by the Miami Herald placed the number of deaths at just below 200 through 2025.
Millions have been spent by the railroad and local, state and federal governments to improve the safety environment along the Florida East Coast Railway corridor. Brightline shares the rail line with the FEC to operate multiple train trips daily between Miami and Orlando with stops in Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach.
State and local transportation planners are studying the possibility of constructing tunnels or overpasses in Fort Lauderdale to enhance safety and ease traffic gridlock at roadways with railroad crossings.