Women Charged with Trespassing on Railroad Bridge

Two women have been charged with criminal trespassing, after they were found walking on a railroad bridge over the Ohio River at Metropolis as a train approached the area.

The Metropolis Police Department says a caller contacted officers Saturday about two women on the railroad bridge heading toward the Ohio River. Offices found the women and contacted the CN Railroad, who told them a train was scheduled to come through the area in 45 minutes. Metropolis officers notified McCracken County officials, and a rescue boat was launched. After 15 minutes the women were over the Ohio River, and the Metropolis Fire Department put a rescue boat on stand-by.

Railroad officials stopped the train, and about 30 minutes later the women came off the bridge.

Both women, 23-year-old Kristen D. Wildharber of Mayfield and 23-year-old Sarah Whitis of Paducah, were arrested and charged with criminal trespassing.  They were taken to the Metropolis Police Department for processing and released on bond.