Burlington man identified as person killed by freight train Sunday night in Bellingham

The person who was struck by a freight train Sunday evening in Bellingham has been identified as Ivan Pokrova, 24, of Burlington, Washington, according to the Whatcom County Medical Examiner's Office.

The cause and manner of his death are still under investigation, according to Deborah Hollis, chief investigator and operations manager for the medical examiner's office.

The incident occurred on the railroad tracks below the 1100 block of Chuckanut Drive. The victim died when firefighters arrived around 5:30 p.m., the Bellingham Herald previously reported.

The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating the incident. There is no additional information on whether Pokrova's death seemed accidental or not.

Amtrak tweeted Sunday evening about a train on the Cascades Route being delayed in Bellingham “due to an intruder incident on an upcoming freight train.”

BNSF Railway confirmed that the incident did not occur at a railroad crossing and that no crew members were injured. Trains began operating in the area again shortly after 10 p.m., according to BNSF.

Pokrova is the second person struck and killed on these tracks in less than two months.

Bellingham police said Lucy Guerra, 15, and a friend were walking on a railroad trestle above Squalicum Beach when Guerra was fatally struck by a BNSF freight train on Tuesday, May 30.

“The initial investigation appears to be a tragic accident. We do not suspect foul play and we do not believe it was intentional,” said Investigations Lt. Chad Cristelli.