BALDWIN, LA
**UPDATE** The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office advises that the body of the missing rail worker, Joshua Crocram, age 26, of Zachary, LA has been recovered. Sheriff Scott Anslum thanks the U.S. Coast Guard, Baldwin Fire Department, Franklin Fire Department, and the Cajun Coast Search and Rescue Team in assisting the St. Mary Parish Marine and Patrol Sections in the search efforts. **
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office says that the search has resumed for a rail company employee who fell from a railroad bridge and into the Charenton drainage canal on Tuesday night in Baldwin.
Marine and Patrol Sections of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office along with personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard, Baldwin Fire Dept., and Franklin Fire Department are on the scene at the Baldwin Canal near the area of the Railroad Bridge responding to the report of an incident involving an employee of the rail company falling into the canal Tuesday night at approximately 9:30. The search is ongoing this morning.
Joshua Crocram was a member of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes. Here is what the brotherhood wrote few hours ago:
Yesterday, we lost a beloved brother in a tragic accident on a railroad bridge near Baldwin, La.
Brother Joshua Crocram, BMWED AT&SFF Local Lodge 2409 member and employee for BNSF railroad, died following a fall into the Baldwin Canal on the Lafayette Subdivision. He was 26 years old. Brother Joshua had worked for BNSF for four years.
Brother Joshua fell from the bridge around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night. The St. Mary’s Parish (La.) Sheriff’s Office immediately responded to the call, assisted by the Franklin Fire Department, the Cajun Coast Search and Rescue Team, and the United States Coast Guard. Despite the efforts of many, Brother Joshua tragically could not be rescued in time.
The BMWED is immensely saddened by this loss. Brother Joshua was far too young and his death is felt deeply. Details of the accident are currently being investigated. It is a tragic and terrible reminder that our work is serious and often dangerous. We must remain ever-vigilant in our safety on the job, and remind ourselves of the hazards every single day.
“We will miss Brother Joshua. It is a sad day in this Brotherhood, and a sad day for the railroad,” President Freddie N. Simpson said. “Brother Joshua’s family and friends are in our prayers. We offer our most sincere condolences. The entire BMWED will keep our Brother in our hearts.”
Brothers and Sisters, as always, we encourage you to all stay mindful of safety on the job. Though the investigation into Brother Joshua’s tragic passing is not complete, please remember to go over all safety precautions when working on railroad track and bridges. A link to a comprehensive safety reminder through our FAMES program is attached below. We ask you all to take time and review this valuable information with your union brothers and sisters on the job site. We all want to eliminate these tragic events.
Joshua played at the Zachary High School as a LB, at number 41.
- Jersey #: 41
- Positions: LB
- Class of: 2010
Team History
ZHS Boys Varsity Football
Zachary, LA
2009
2009
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By Josh Auzenne
September 5, 2018
BALDWIN, LA (WAFB) -
The body of a missing railroad worker who reportedly fell into a canal Tuesday night has been found, authorities report.
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office says the body of Joshua Crocram, 26, of Zachary, was discovered Wednesday afternoon.
SMPSO initially responded to a report of a rail company employee who fell into the Baldwin Canal near Railroad Bridge around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night.
Sheriff Scott Anslum thanks the U.S. Coast Guard, the Baldwin Fire Department, the Franklin Fire Department, and the Cajun Coast Search and Rescue Team for their assistance.