Amtrak train strikes, kills 2 people in Winter Park, police say

WINTER PARK, Fla. – Two people were hit and killed by an Amtrak train in Winter Park Wednesday morning, Winter Park police said.

The crash happened at 11:43 a.m. as the train was traveling south toward Orlando near Palmetto and Cypress avenues, according to police. The tracks run behind Fox Tail coffee and Eden's Fresh Co. restaurant in Winter Park.

The two females were dead when officers arrived at the scene and it's believed they committed suicide, according to a news release. Their names and ages have not been released.

Service on Amtrak train 91 was suspended as local law enforcement investigate an incident, Amtrak spokeswoman Kimberly Woods said.

There were 83 passengers onboard the train during the crash, no one onboard was injured. Amtrak resumed service at 2:22 p.m. and the company is cooperating with local officials, Woods said.

Train 91 travels between New York City and Miami daily with regular stops along the way, according to Amtrak.

The victims identities won't be made public until their family is notified.

SunRail trains P318 and P317 between Winter Park and Sand Lake Road were also cancelled Wednesday afternoon due to police activity, the commuter rail tweeted. Train P316 was also delayed.

Passengers on those trains were bused to their connecting stations.

SunRail returned to normal operations at 3:15 p.m.

This week is Rail Safety Week, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Only a day prior, Winter Park police tweeted a public safety announcement about crossing rail tracks.

The Florida Department of Transportation plans to build fencing along more than a dozen areas of rail between Orange and Seminole Counties. 

FDOT and the City of Winter Park are also in discussions about placing fencing in the downtown Winter Park area, from roughly the Winter Park Amtrak station to Fairbanks Avenue.