DURANT, Okla. - One person was killed in a railroad accident in Durant after a railcar began moving during a loading operation, derailed and left an individual trapped beneath the heavy equipment, according to the Durant Police Department.

The Durant Bryan County Communications Center received a report of the incident Thursday morning, Oct. 8, with initial information indicating that someone may have been injured or trapped.

According to preliminary findings, employees of a local business were loading and moving railcars that were not attached to or being pulled by a locomotive.

During the operation, one of the railcars began moving toward an active railroad track.

The railcar encountered a derail device, a safety mechanism designed to prevent uncontrolled rail equipment from entering an active track, causing it to derail.

Authorities said a person was reportedly aboard the railcar when the incident occurred. Initial reports indicated the individual may have been thrown from the railcar or trapped beneath the derailed equipment.

The Durant Fire Department, Durant Police Department and emergency management personnel responded to the scene.

Because of the railcar's size and weight, rescuers needed specialized heavy equipment to reach the individual.

Working with Union Pacific Railroad, emergency crews used the equipment to access and recover the person, who was pronounced dead.

Police have not released the victim's identity, citing consideration for the family and the notification process.

Investigators are treating the death as a workplace accident.

Durant police investigators processed and documented the scene in coordination with Union Pacific Railroad special agents and the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Authorities have not identified the business involved or explained what caused the railcar to begin moving.

The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.