Crossing Student Life Lined To Indianapolis In Train Accident

Clinton County Daily News and WILO  have learned that Christian Lindenmayer, 18, a senior at the Crossing School in Frankfort was seriously injured late Monday afternoon  while trying to cross railroad tracks on the west side of Frankfort.

Lindenmayer was reportedly life lined to Indianapolis with serious arm and leg injuries.  

WILO radio interviewed Chief of Police Scott Shoemaker and WILO 96.9 FM, 1570 AM and 102.7 FM will also continue to report on this accident.

Crossing School Regional Director Cole Warford said “This should be a wake-up call to us all.  At the Crossing we make it a priority everyday to love these kids and to be intentional everyday on sharing the love of Jesus Christ.”   Warford mentioned that “Christian is a student who always has a smile on his face and is well-liked by his fellow students. Many people are praying for Christian”

WILO and Clinton County Daily News will continue to report on Christian’s condition as details develop.

The following is from the Frankfort Police Department Facebook Page:

Pedestrian in Critical but Stable Condition after Struck by Train

Frankfort, IN- On September 19, 2022, at approximately 5:24 PM, Frankfort Police Department responded to a report of a male struck by a train at the Rossville Ave crossing. Upon arrival, officers saw two witnesses had pulled 18-year-old Christian Lindenmayer of Frankfort from under the train and attempted to apply make-shift tourniquets. Officers applied two C-A-T tourniquets and provided care until Clinton County Emergency Medical Services (CCEMS) and Frankfort Fire Department (FFD) arrived. Lindenmayer was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital.

The initial investigation revealed that Lindenmayer was walking northbound across the tracks while wearing headphones and a hooded sweatshirt. He did not hear or see the train. The train was traveling at a slow speed and was able to stop within two hundred feet.

“I am extremely proud of the response of FPD officers tonight,” stated Chief Scott Shoemaker. “Officers quickly applied tourniquets to stop the bleeding. The quick actions from witnesses, officers and the medical care from CCEMS and FFD could prove vital as the night progresses.”

Lindenmayer is in surgery at the time of this release.

Another facet of this incident was the near complete shutdown of the city due to the stalled train. Multiple officers came in off-duty to assist with calls on both sides of the tracks as well helping traffic navigate through the city. Frankfort Street Department quickly responded and assisted FPD in shutting down roads.

Also assisting tonight were: Clinton County Central Dispatch, Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, Railroad Police and the Norfolk and Southern Trainmaster.

Pursuant to Indiana Public Access Laws, I.C. 5-14-3-5, certain factual information relating to the identify of a person arrested or jailed and the agency’s response to a complaint, accident or incident must be made available to the public.

Four Frankfort Police Cars respond to serious pedestrian-train accident late Monday afternoon on Frankfort’s west side. Photo by Susan Kaspar