Man Found Dead on Train Between Baring and Gorin

By Crystal Howerton

   On June 4, 2007, a 71-year-old white male was found dead in the Amtrak train on which he was a passenger.  

   Richard Cleary of Riverside, CA was discovered unresponsive by train attendants who had went to check on him when he did not appear for lunch.  The discovery was made as the Amtrak passenger train passed through Baring at mile post marker 289; the dispatcher was contacted and an emergency stop was then made in Gorin.  Burlington Northern Santa Fe signal maintainer Ron Stansberry, of Edina, said tracks were closed from 11:32 a.m. to 12:29 p.m. as Scotland County Coroner Ginny Monroe removed the body from the upper level of the passenger train through a window.  Monroe was assisted by Scotland County Ambulance, Gorin First Responders and train personnel. 

   Monroe stated that after an autopsy performed Monday afternoon in Memphis, the man was found to have died of natural causes. The time of death was logged at 12 noon. “Arrangements are being made for the body to be returned to Riverside,” said Monroe.

   The man was traveling alone on a train that was en route to Chicago from Riverside.  His final destination was Boston, MA.