Staff Writer

A Union man on his way home from a convenience store was killed Saturday afternoon when he walked in front of a train.

Gillford Porter, 59, of 204 Hill St., was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by Union County Coroner William Holcombe. Porter was struck around 5 p.m., approximately 559 feet from the North Pinckney Street crossing by a southbound Norfolk Southern train. A Union Public Safety Department report said Porter's body was found lying 92 feet from the point of impact.

It was raining at the time of the accident.

The conductor of the train, R.L. Wood, 59, of Bishopville told Cpl. Scott Coffer that he saw Porter coming toward the tracks near the Country Store on Thomson Boulevard. Wood said the train's horn was blowing and an attempt was made to slow the train, but Porter came into its path. Wood said the train was traveling around 45 mph when the accident occurred.

Coffer spoke with an employee of the Country Store who said Porter had just left the store, where he had purchased two beers and was heading home. Coffer asked the clerk if Porter had been drinking or smelled of alcohol and the clerk said Porter did not.

Porter's hat and two broken beer bottles were lodged in the front of the train.