Movie Crewmember Killed in Train Accident on Georgia Set

A crewmember on the Gregg Allman biopic Midnight Rider was struck and killed by a train on location in Georgia, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The name of the victim, a woman, has not been released.

Seven other people — all crewmembers — were injured in the accident, according to WTOC in Savannah. One was taken via Lifestar to Memorial University Medical Center and others were transferred to area hospitals. The crewmembers were injured on the train trestle over the Altamaha River near the Doctortown Road crossing in Wayne County, the outlet reports. Law enforcement told WSAV crewmembers had placed a mattress on the tracks before the train came.

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“All of us on the production team are devastated by the tragic accident that happened today.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of our crew member,” Midnight Rider Productions said in a statement.

CSX, which operated the train, released a statement following the accident: “CSX is deeply saddened by a tragedy that occurred late today on a CSX rail bridge in Doctortown, Ga. and is cooperating fully with authorities as they investigate.  Initial reports indicate that at least three people were injured, one fatally.  CSX personnel are working with first responders to meet the needs of those injured.  A train was en route from Memphis to Savannah when the incident occurred.”

A rep for the production did not immediately respond to request for comment, and neither did the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department in Georgia.

Midnight Rider looks at Allman’s life from two perspectives — from his younger days (where he is played by Tyson Ritter) to his realization at 64 (portrayed by William Hurt) that he has to get clean for good or possibly lose his life. It also stars Eliza Dushku, Bradley Whitford, Joel David Moore, Zoey Deutch and Chad Lindberg.

Unclaimed Freight Productions’ Randall Miller and Jody Savin are making the film, with Miller directing from a script he wrote with Savin. Open Road Films is releasing the film domestically while The Exchange is handling international sales.

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