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More info. released on Montgomery County train jumper

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November 5th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Montgomery County have identified a woman from France as the person who jumped from an Amtrak train late Monday evening. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says 31-year-old Stephanie Hatt of Savigny sur Orge, France was pronounced dead after being discovered lying along the north side of the railroad tracks in the vicinity of James and Broad Streets in Stanton.

Officials with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad officials reported the woman, who is believed to be a tourist who arrived in the U-S on October 31st, jumped off Amtrak’s westbound California Zephyr at approximately 9:50 p.m., Monday. She was on her way from Chicago to Omaha when the incident occurred.

According to Sheriff Joe Sampson, Hatt became nervous to the point where the conductor had tried to calm her down and get her to sit still, but she bolted from her seat, ran down an aisle, open the door, and jumped from the train, which was traveling at 79 miles per hour. She died from blunt force trauma to the head.

While foul play has been ruled out, it’s still unclear why the woman jumped from the train. Toxicology reports are being conducted to determine if the woman was under the influence of drugs or medications. Red Oak Police, Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Amtrak Police, the Iowa State Patrol and Stanton Rescue also assisted in the investigation.