Police believe that a man who sustained injuries being struck by a train on Saturday afternoon may have been trying to kill himself but had last-minute second thoughts and jumped off the tracks.

Gilberto Corona-Esparza, 48, of Modesto, sustained severe injuries to his right leg and back to include open fractures and multiple broken ribs.

Police were called at 3:17 p.m. Saturday about a man struck by a Southern Pacific train near Hackett Road and Railroad Avenue.

The train engineer and engineer told police that they saw the man walking southbound on the tracks as their train approached. The train horn was activated numerous times and they noticed the individual looking back without changing direction or making any attempt to get off the tracks. The train slowed to about 40 mph and it appears that Corona-Esparza tried to jump out of the way at the last second but was struck anyway.

The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The incident is being investigated. Anyone with information is urged to call Officer Hector Pulido at 538-5712.