‘Survivor’ Contestant Caleb Bankston Dies In Railway Accident

“Survivor” contestant Caleb Bankston reportedly died on Tuesday. He was 26.

According to People, the reality TV star, who appeared on “Survivor: Blood vs. Water,” worked at the Alabama Warrior Railway in Birmingham, where he was aboard a train that derailed.

Caleb appeared on the CBS series in 2013, where he competed alongside fiance, Colton Cumbie.

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(Colton Cumbie and Caleb Bankston on ‘Survivor: Blood vs. Water’ in 2013)

News of Caleb’s death devastated the “Survivor” world.

“Caleb was an amazing man and friend,” fellow contestant Aras Baskauskas told the mag. “One of the sweetest and most sincere humans I’ve ever come across. I am gutted by his loss. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Sabrina Thompson, who appeared on “Survivor: One World,” told the mag, “While playing ‘Survivor’ with Colton, he would talk about his boyfriend, Caleb, around the clock 24/7. Within seconds of meeting Caleb at the finale and ‘Survivor’ events, it’s no wonder why he raved about him. You were instantly drawn to his big smile, warm spirit and Southern charm. May God rest his soul … gone too soon.”

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Caleb is the third “Survivor” contestant to die since the show debuted. “Survivor: Palau’s” Jenn Lyon died at 37 after a six-year battle with breast cancer in 2010. BB Andersen, who appeared on the show’s first season, died of brain cancer at age 77 in 2013.

— Jesse Spero

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