The details of the Sunday double suicide are now well known - a homeless couple in their 20s lay on the tracks, got up as the train approached and then hugged each other as they were hit by the northbound Downeaster. 

The couple frequented various shelters in the Biddeford area, having eaten breakfast that morning at a local church.

An Amtrak spokesman released the following statement: "According to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), trespassing along railroad rights-of-way is the leading cause of rail-related deaths in America, and railroad crossing incidents are the second leading cause of rail-related deaths in America. These incidents can affect everyone involved—those who are injured or die and their families, our train crews, and our passengers."

We interviewed Jim Nawrocki, a former Downeaster conductor and currently a TrainRiders/NE board member, about the responsibilities of train crews when trespassing incidents occur. The interview can be seen here.

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