For second time in a week, cyclist killed by METRORail train
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A cyclist involved in a collision with a METRORail train right before the Super Bowl has died.
The accident occurred in the 8000 block of Fannin Street on Sunday evening. METRO says the cyclist was turning off of the service road when he collided with the moving train.
The cyclist was taken to Ben Taub Hospital, where he underwent surgery.
METRO spokesman Jerome Gray told Eyewitness News the man has since died as a result of his injuries.
The victim's identity has not been released.
RELATED: Rice professor on bike killed by METRORail near Houston Zoo
This was the second time in a week that a person was killed in a collision involving a METRORail train.
On Friday, a Rice University professor on a bike died after riding her bike into the train's path.
METRO said in that case that the victim did not have the right of way.
BikeHouston, which is a nonprofit organization on a mission to transform Houston by creating safe bikeways to improve the quality of life of all Houstonians, released a statement:
"There have been two deaths in three days. Two deaths of people riding bicycles on the streets of Houston. Our hearts go out to the families and friends of these two people. Two tragic reminders of why the Houston Bike Plan is so important. No deaths on our streets are acceptable. City Council must vote yes and adopt the Bike Plan to make the streets of Houston safe for all people riding bicycles. The Bike Plan provides a toolbox for designing streets and intersections to create a safe bike network across town and it includes education programs.
Following each death, the City should start an investigation asking: "Why did the death happen?" A full investigation should be done that includes, how could the designs of these roads and intersections be improved? Does an alternative route need to be provided? What were the human mistakes and how do we change the road design to make it harder for these mistakes to happen?
The Bike Plan, which was begun in response to earlier deaths, is going to City Council next week. We cannot afford to delay. We ask council vote yes on the Bike Plan."
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