The train conductor who was killed early Tuesday morning has been identified as an Alabama man.

Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates identified the train conductor as Walter James Griffin III, 43, of Hueytown, Alabama.

Yates said Griffin, a Norfolk Southern train conductor in training, was killed just after midnight, when the cab of his locomotive was struck by a metal beam protruding from a passing freight train car on an adjacent track.

Norfolk Southern and the Bessemer Police are investigating Griffin’s death.

The accident happened near Carolina Avenue and 32nd Street in Bessemer.

Griffin’s employer issued a statement about the incident.

“Norfolk Southern is grieving the loss of a member of our team today,” the statement read. “Our hearts go out to his loved ones during this extremely difficult time, and we are working to provide grief counsellors to his colleagues at our nearby facilities. An investigation is underway and company leadership is on-site to provide support.”