Man Found Dead on Burnham Train Tracks

Burnham, IL - Police are investigating the death of a Chicago man found Wednesday morning along train tracks in south suburban Burnham. Police say he may have been involved in burglarizing train cars when he was killed.

Anthony M. Bernard, 31, of 2252 W. 54th Pl., was found lying between a set of tracks beneath the Torrence Avenue bridge, about 14300 South, according to a release from Burnham police.

Bernard apparently suffered traumatic injuries from being struck by a moving train. He was pronounced dead on the scene at 8:31 a.m. Wednesday, a spokesman for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office said. An autopsy is scheduled for later Thursday.

Bernard had been run over by a train, the spokesman said.

Police believe train cars were being burglarized when Bernard was struck by the train. Bolt cutters, plastic bags and numerous cases of consumer goods were found near his body, the release said.

The incident is under investigation by Burnham police, CSX railroad police and Illinois State Police.