A 58-year-old wildlife-rescue volunteer was struck and killed by a St Louis MetroLink train in southwestern Illinois after she responded to a call about an opossum on the tracks. Sandie Konopelski of Shiloh was struck by a westbound commuter train on the tracks between Swansea and Belleville on Friday morning. She died of blunt-force trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene after responding to the alert about an opossum on the tracks around 8am. Scroll down for video . Sandie Konopelski of Shiloh, Illinois, was struck and killed by a St Louis MetroLink train on Friday morning . Konopelski was responding to a report about an opossum (above) on the tracks near an Illinois train station . She was struck by a westbound commuter train on the tracks between Swansea and Belleville around 8am . Konopelski  was licensed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources as a wildlife rehabilitator, the St Louis Post-Dispatch reported. She also was involved with the Bi-State Wildlife Hotline of Missouri and Illinois. Organization president Angel Wintrode said: 'She went out like she had a thousand times before.' The group posted a tribute to Konopelski and said donations can be made in her honor. Bi-State Wildlife wrote: 'We have no words. 'We can't believe she's gone. We already miss you Sandie. 'Sandie's family and friends and Our Hotline Family and so very many animals have lost a great and dear person today.' Metro often calls Bi-State Wildlife for help with animals on the tracks, according to Wintrode. It's unclear if they called about the opossum in this circumstance. After the 58-year-old's death, the Bi-State Wildlife Hotline of Missouri and Illinois posted a Facebook tribute . Swansea Police Chief Mike Arnold said authorites don't know why Konopelski didn't hear the train coming . Konopelsk's car was located in a parking lot near the station in Swansea, the Swansea News-Democrat reported. Shiloh mayor Jim Vernier said: 'I can't believe it happened. 'She was such a caring person for animals. 'I could call her at 3:00 in the morning and she'd be there to help an animal. 'I don't know who's going to fill those shoes. Everybody called her.' Train service was delayed for about two hours on Friday while police investigated. Swansea Police Chief Mike Arnold said officials don't know why Konopelski didn't hear the train coming and get out of the way.
Sandie Konopelski, 58, of Shiloh, Illinois, struck by train on Friday morning . Hit by St Louis MetroLink train on tracks between Swansea and Belleville . Licensed by state Department of Natural Resources as wildlife rehabilitator . She died of blunt-force trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene .