The shirt and pants of the unidentified visitor from Boston also were torn as the freight train whizzed by early Wednesday.

"He thought it'd be a better shot if he got a little bit closer," police Sgt. Jeff Skuza told The (Fargo, N.D.) Forum. "He has a bad case of train rash."

Skuza said the New Englander and another fellow who were in town for a conference were on their way to the Main Avenue Fryin' Pan restaurant for a late-night snack when they decided a souvenir photo was in order.

Skuza said alcohol was apparently involved in their decision.