Motorcyclist killed by train

SCOTT CITY, Mo. -- A Scott City man riding a motorcycle on the railroad tracks was killed Friday when he was struck by a train at Bell Crossing.

Robert Veal, 41, was headed east on the cycle about 2.5 miles east of Scott City when he was killed by a train heading in the same direction, Missouri State Highway Patrol said.

Police said the accident occurred at 4:22 p.m. as Veal, who was riding in front of the Union Pacific train, attempted to leave the tracks and was struck by the train. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Scott County deputy coroner Jerry Goin.

Steven Jett, 60, of Mount Vernon, Ill., was the engineer on the train.