News & Reviews News Wire Victim identified in death at Decatur, Ill., industrial railyard

Victim identified in death at Decatur, Ill., industrial railyard

By Trains Staff | April 13, 2023

| Last updated on February 5, 2024


Coroner says man died of ‘blunt force injury’ in collision between locomotive and railcar

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DECATUR, Ill. — A man who died in while operating a locomotive at an Archer-Daniels-Midland rail yard on Tuesday has been identified by the Macon County coroner, WAND-TV reports.

Robert L. Dautel Jr., 66, of Morrisonville, Ill., died of blunt force injury of the chest due to injuries sustained an accident described as a collision between the locomotive and a parked railcar in the yard at the ADM Bioproducts Complex, according to an autopsy. An inquest is pending, according to Coroner Michael Day.

ADM said in a statement that it was “deeply saddened” by the passing of Dautel, “a valued colleague who served in various roles for more than 22 years at ADM.

“We are in the process of conducting an investigation to better understand what happened. Our thoughts and prayers are with Robert’s family and friends.

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