A former candidate for Portland mayor died Wednesday after being struck by a TriMet MAX light rail train while riding a bicycle in Southeast Portland.

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office has identified the cyclist as 81-year-old Michael O’Callaghan.

Investigators said O’Callaghan was traveling northbound on Southeast 8th Avenue from Southeast Division Street Wednesday afternoon when he encountered lowered railroad safety arms and traffic.

“The cyclist rode his bike into the opposing southbound lanes of travel, where there are no crossing arms, and was subsequently hit by a MAX train traveling in the direction of Milwaukie as he crossed the railroad tracks,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

O’Callaghan, who was unhoused, ran for mayor last year.

He was a sixth-generation Oregonian and a self-taught lawyer who ran on improving Portland’s homelessness, safety and housing issues, according to O’Callaghan’s campaign website.

“This is a tragic incident and a very difficult situation for everyone involved,” TriMet said in a statement.

“Our thoughts are with the cyclist, our operator and those who witnessed the collision. It is under investigation. TriMet is working closely with authorities to respond to the incident and investigate it further.”

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/06/20/portland-mayor-candidate-max-train-crash/