Blue Line train strikes, kills Minneapolis pedestrian

A southbound Blue Line train in Minneapolis struck and killed a pedestrian Friday afternoon, Metro Transit officials said.

Authorities are on the scene of the accident near the intersection of E. 35th Street and Highway 55 in Minneapolis.

Officials said they would provide more details later. Replacement buses are running now between Franklin and 46th Street light rail stations.

Rail service continues as normal north of Franklin Avenue and south of 46th Street. Hiawatha Avenue remains open to traffic but the west side of the 35th Street intersection is closed, Metro Transit said.

There have been 82 collisions or incidents of the light rail coming into contact with a vehicle, pedestrian, bicyclist, and in one case machinery, since the Blue Line began operating about 10 years ago, MPR News reported in March.

Nearly all those accidents were attributed to motorist, pedestrian or bicyclist error.