Friday afternoon a neighbor called 911 to report three juveniles who were seen climbing out on the BNSF trestle (bridge?) over the Nooksack River by Main Street. Ferndale Police were dispatched but in the meantime What-Comm dispatch contacted BNSF in time to stop a southbound train just before it reached the bridge.
The stopped train sat for about 30 minutes until an officer could ensure no one was on the trestle.
BNSF Rail Spokesman Gus Melonas told Discover Ferndale, “Safety is BNSF’s top priority and BNSF enforces a strict ‘no trespassing’ policy 24/7.” According to Melonas, criminal trespass fines average $500 in Washington State.
According to Melonas, there were 29 trespasser fatalities in 2015 in Washington state on BNSF property.