A 59-year-old Gary man was fatally struck by a train over the weekend, according to the Gary Fire Department and Lake County Coroner.
The Gary Fire Department responded to a call at 10 a.m. Saturday of a person hit by a train in the area of 100 North Broadway near the railroad tracks by the former Gary train station, according to a release from the fire department.
A train conductor directed the fire crew to a debris-filled building near the railroad tracks. Crews had “to force entry through the front door” to get to the person, according to the release.
Kevin Benford, Gary Fire Department public information officer, said the fire crew had to walk through the old train station building to get to the victim because of the debris behind the building.
The firefighters and EMS crew made contact with the man and saw there were no signs of life. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the release.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office identified the man as 59-year-old Joseph Mark Lake, of Gary. He died of multiple blunt force injuries as a result of a train versus pedestrian accident, according to the coroner.
The Amtrak Police Department and Norfolk Southern Police Department responded to the scene, according to the release.
“The Gary Fire Department extends its condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this incident,” according to the release.
akukulka@post-trib.com
