A Kingfisher McDonald’s employee struck by a train Tuesday suffered numerous broken bones but is improving, a family member reported to the Times and Free Press.

Dakota Eugene Welch, 23, a former Kingfisher High School student, was flown by Air Evac helicopter to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City after he was struck by a train on the Union Pacific railroad tracks about 15 feet south and 40 feet east of the Kingfisher city limits just after noon Tuesday, according to an Oklahoma Highway Patrol report.

Welch was walking south alongside the railroad tracks listening to music through headphones and apparently did not hear the train approaching from behind, according to the OHP report.

He was struck by the train and thrown a short distance from the tracks and the train continued a little farther before stopping.

A family member told the Times and Free Press that Welch, who the OHP reported as having an Okeene address, was on his way to work when the accident happened.

The family member said Welch underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a broken pelvis and also sustained fractures to his skull, neck, ribs, shoulder and one finger.

He also suffered lacerations to the back of his head and back of his arm that required staples.

He has been moved from ICU to a regular room, but no word yet on when he might be discharged from the hospital.

Jerry Burrowes, 45, and Dwayne Crawford, 40, both of Chickasha, are the train’s engineer and conductor, respectively, according to the OHP report.

OHP Trooper Seth Wallace investigated the accident, assisted by Kingfisher police and fire departments.