Man struck by train dies

STAPLES - The 30-year-old Hobart, Ind., man who was critically injured after he fell on a railroad crossing and was struck by a train Wednesday in Staples has died, St. Cloud Hospital officials said Friday.

The hospital declined to report whether the man died Thursday or Friday.

Staples Police said Craig Michael Allen was on foot about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday and attempting to cross the Seventh Street railroad crossing in Staples when he apparently fell to the ground. A westbound BNSF Railway train was approaching, saw Allen on the tracks and activated an emergency stopping device and sounded its horn but could not stop, police said.

Alcohol appeared to have played a role in Allen falling onto the tracks but Staples Police Chief Kyle Huber said Friday that those blood alcohol tests aren't back yet and may take a couple of weeks.

Huber said police don't believe there is any criminal activity involved surrounding Allen's death.

"Like always, there are rumors in town but those are just rumors," said Huber. "If anyone assisted him or pushed him, the people on the train were able to see him. He was simply intoxicated and not able to get up and get out of the way."