Body found by tracks near Capitol

A body was found Monday night near railroad tracks about a half mile from the U.S. Capitol, authorities said.

The body was found about 10 p.m. beside the CSX tracks near Second Street SW, according to information from the District and the railroad.

The body showed signs of severe injury, according to Pete Piringer, a spokesman for the D.C. fire and emergency services department.

A spokeswoman for CSX said a train crew spotted something unusual along the tracks about 10 p.m. and reported it to police.

No identification could be learned and it was not known how long the body had been there. One report indicated that it may have been there for more than a day. The site is near the Southwest Freeway and South Capitol Street.

-- Martin Weil