A woman found dead on railroad tracks in the city of Oneonta early Sunday morning died by suicide, police said Tuesday, April 1.
According to a Facebook post from the Oneonta Police Department, an employee of Norfolk Southern Railroad called 911 at about 6:45 a.m. Sunday after discovering the body on railroad tracks. Police did not disclose where along the railroad tracks, which run east-west near the southern border of the city, the woman was found.
Officers from multiple agencies responded, including the New York State Police, Otsego County District Attorney’s Office and Norfolk Southern railroad police along with the Otsego County coroner.
Investigators identified the person as a 61-year-old woman from Pennsylvania. Police did not release her name.
Police said she had become stranded in the town of Oneonta Saturday morning when her vehicle was towed. A tow company provided her a courtesy ride to a local convenience store.
Authorities later learned she had a significant history of mental distress and had been reported missing to Pennsylvania State Police around 6 p.m. Saturday.
Surveillance footage showed the woman walking alone along the railroad at about 3:49 a.m. Sunday in a prohibited area. At 4 a.m., a train passed through the area going west, and additional video confirmed she was lying on the tracks at the time.
Authorities have ruled the incident a suicide, and police stated no further information will be released.