Homeless man run over by a train in Gloucester City

A 23-year-old homeless man remained hospitalized Friday after a freight train ran over him while he slept on tracks in Gloucester City.

The train was proceeding through the center of town about 11:30 p.m. Thursday when an engineer spotted what he at first thought was debris, Gloucester City Police Lt. Brian Morrell said.

Operators of the train hit the brakes and blew the horn but the man, whom police have not identified, did not move.

Officers found the victim pinned under one of the train wheels by his arm, screaming in pain. He was taken to Cooper University Hospital, where he was in critical but stable condition.

The victim is known to police as a member of the Delaware River town's resident homeless population and a heavy drinker, Morrell said. Police found a partially consumed 24-ounce can of beer near where the man had fallen asleep.

"He did live with his father before in Gloucester City, but I think the dad lost the house, and he's been on the street ever since," Morrell said.