Herbert Wilson, 80, of Sallisaw was taken to Sparks Medical Regional Center in Fort Smith, Ark. Wilson was pronounced dead at 10:02 a.m. Friday from multiple traumatic head injuries he sustained from the 13-foot fall.
It is unclear how the tragedy at the train overpass unfolded Friday morning but the medical examiner’s office has ruled it as an accidental death, police said.
Sallisaw Police Officer Ben Smith was called to the scene at 8:20 a.m. When he arrived he noticed Wilson lying on the south side of Cherokee Avenue.
Smith reported that a witness told him she was driving west and noticed something falling from the overpass. She reported that as she was passing the overpass area she saw a body lying in the road and she turned around to help. Smith said the witness reported the best she could tell was the man was sitting on the side of the overpass and fell backward.
Smith said he spoke to Wilson’s family members who told him Wilson was in good health. Police confirmed that the death was not being treated as suspicious.
