Commuter train kills SEPTA worker

A SEPTA track inspector was fatally struck by a train in North Philadelphia this morning, disrupting service on three Regional Rail lines for several hours.

The incident was the second in two days to affect Regional Rail service at a time when commuter trains are coping with extra passengers because of the strike against the city's mass transit system.

Kevin Sparks, an 8-year SEPTA employee, was struck about 8:30 a.m. by a southbound R3 West Trenton train near the Philadelphia-Montgomery County border just south of the Melrose Park station.

Sparks was inspecting a set of tracks that normally carries northbound trains when he was hit.

SEPTA officials said the accident was not attributable to the strike. Trains often switch tracks because of equipment issues, said spokeswoman Jerri Williams.

"It's a set procedure," Williams said. "The people working on tracks know that's a possibility at all times and assume trains will be coming from either direction."

SEPTA said Sparks was part of a team doing regular maintenance on the tracks.

Commuters on the train were transferred to another train for the trip into the city.

One of the passengers reported hearing the train's horns blaring before there was a loud bump.

The incident disrupted the Warminster (R2), West Trenton (R3) and Lansdale/Doylestown (R5) lines north of the Fern Rock.

The accident stranded morning commuters north of the Fern Rock station for three hours.

Melissa Brunson, 44, said she had been waiting on the Melrose Park station platform since 8:50 a.m.

Brunson, of East Oak Lane, worried about not being able to make it into the city for jury duty at the Criminal Justice Center. The jury, she said, has been sequestered during last week as they deliberated a homicide case.

"If they had let us know earlier, I could have been able to take a shuttle in," said Brunson. "But SEPTA didn't make the announcement [that service was disrupted] until 9:45. By then it was too late."

David Chandler, 34, of West Oak Lane usually takes the bus and subway in to Community College of Philadelphia where he studies creative writing.

This morning at the Melrose Park station, he said the accident was going to make him miss at least one class.

"I think SEPTA should have some competition. They shut the city down," Chandler said. "It leaves us holding the bag. I don't think it's fair at all."

Don Felder, 47, a radio dispatcher at Police Headquarters, first heard of the accident on the morning news. He was supposed to be at work at 11 a.m.

"I'll be docked if I don't get in on time, but they know what's going on," said Felder.

He said there was no other way for him to get to work.

"My wife, who works at a hospital, already drove in. I can't ask her to come back out and give me a ride," Felder said. "I'll just have to be patient."

Yesterday, a fire forced the evacuation of about 500 passengers from a train on the R5-Paoli line. No one was injured, but service on the line was suspended for two hours.

Flames broke out in the first of four cars as the train was leaving the Overbrook Station at about 7 a.m. Passengers had already been moved to other cars because of a burning smell.