Vehicle Struck By Train In Merrillville Found In Porter County
Early Monday morning around 1:43AM Merrillville Police were dispatched to a vehicle vs train on the 6900 block of Broadway. On arrival police found car parts but no car. They searched the area thinking the car may have damage but possibly drove away, but no search results found anything in the immediate area. Officers continued to search the tracks where more vehicle parts and debris was located. One Merrillville Officer walked the tracks for nearly a mile. Assisting with the search was Hobart, Indiana State Police and Porter County Officials.
Around 2:26AM the vehicle was located nearly 10 miles away from the initial scene by the train conductor about 10 railroad cars back from the engine between two trains near 639W & 350N with a male victim in it approximately 60 years of age with severe head trauma. The car was unrecognizable according the Fire Chief. A Union Township Fire Brush Fire truck was able to make it down the tracks 3/4 of mile down the road and use battery powered extrication tools. Around 3:39AM Union fire officials completed the extrication of the male and Medflight helicopter was called into transport the victim to a South Bend Hospital. Difficulties getting to the location of vehicle required special trucks. Around 5:00AM after driving the flight crew to the scene from the Airport they have the patient loaded and enroute to the hospital.
Due to an ongoing crash investigation, CR 475 West is shut down between 300 N and 400N, CR 625 West is also closed between 300 N and 350 N. Please seek alternate routes
This is preliminary information and we are expecting further details in the morning hours. Check back for updates.
