Woman Dies After Being Hit By Train While Trying To Save Pet Dog

Last Updated:June 06, 2025, 16:07 IST

42-year-old Alicia Leonardi from Plaistow was walking with a male friend and an unleashed dog along the railway tracks when the incident occurred

42-year-old Alicia Leonardi from Plaistow suffered fatal injuries during the tragic incident. (Image via Facebook/Alicia Leonardi)

A woman lost her life while trying to save a dog from an oncoming train in Exeter, a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The tragic incident took place on Monday afternoon at around 3:24 pm.

According to Exeter Police Department in New Hampshire, 42-year-old Alicia Leonardi from Plaistow was walking with a male friend and an unleashed dog along the railway tracks near the Newfields Road trestle. When the train approached from a bend, the dog bolted onto the tracks. In a desperate effort to rescue the animal, both individuals moved toward the tracks and were struck by the train.

“Preliminary investigation suggests that the victim and a friend were walking a dog along the tracks. The train approached quickly from a corner behind them and the unleashed dog ran onto the tracks at the sound of the train’s horn. The couple attempted to get the dog off the tracks and as a result both people were struck. The woman suffered fatal injuries while the male sustained minor injuries," the police stated.

Leonardi suffered fatal injuries, while the man accompanying her sustained only minor injuries, Exeter Police Department shared in a post on Facebook on Tuesday.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the investigation into a tragic event that left a pedestrian fatally struck by an Amtrak train in Exeter," said the Exeter Police in their statement. “Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Ms. Leonardi."

The police also confirmed they are working closely with Amtrak and CSX Police investigators. The case remains under investigation.

“Exeter Police are continuing to work with the Amtrak Police and CSX Police Investigators. The case remains under investigation," the post concluded.

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News world Woman Dies After Being Hit By Train While Trying To Save Pet Dog