A 22-year-old man remained in a coma yesterday after being struck by a Maryland Rail Commuter service train Friday night in Elkridge, Howard County police said.

The man, whose name withheld until relatives were notified, was walking with an unidentified 21-year-old woman on the tracks near Levering Avenue and Lawyers Hill Road about 9: 15 p.m. when he was hit by the Washington-bound train.

Police said the couple apparently stepped off the tracks, onto a narrow strip on the edge of a 60-foot drop, after the engineer sounded a warning horn. However, the man was hit in the head as the train passed them.

He was flown by helicopter to Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Police said alcohol use appeared to be a factor in the incident.

Pub Date: 9/06/98