Girl struck by train May 13 recovering

A Columbia Falls teenager is recovering at Kalispell Regional Medical Center after she was struck by a westbound Amtrak train in Columbia Falls.

Siehra Salois, 17, was jogging on or near the tracks about 8:45 p.m. May 13 near the viaduct. Police believe she had a headset on and didn’t hear the train coming.

A passenger on board the train said the Amtrak repeatedly blew its whistle and hit the brakes but Salois didn’t get off the tracks in time.

Reports are conflicting as to what happened next. Burlington Northern Santa Fe spokesman Gus Melonas said the train grazed Salois, but Columbia Falls police believe she was hit by the train and carried for a distance before she fell off to the north side of the tracks. Her body came to rest at the end of the train, police said.

Salois may have tried to cut in front of the train. Salois’ mother, Jenny, said they were awaiting an opportunity to view a videotape from the train cabin to see what, exactly, happened.

Salois suffered a broken arm and multiple contusions, Jenny said.

“She’s banged up pretty good,” she said Monday, though Siehra is expected to recover from the accident.

The train was delayed for more than hour. The case is being investigated by the Flathead County Sheriff’s Department and Burlington Northern Santa Fe police.

“She’s extremely lucky,” Flathead County Sheriff Mike Meehan said.