GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Grand Rapids Police Department responded to reports of a CSX train that hit a pedestrian on Tuesday.
It happened at 6:21 p.m. just east of Market Avenue near Freeman SW.
According to police the man, identified as Mark Dennis Mart, 49, was lying in the middle of the railroad tracks.
Engineers noticed something on the tracks, and quickly used the emergency brakes when they realized they were looking at a person. The train managed to come to a complete stop, but not before dragging Mart about 30 feet down the tracks. He was under the fuel tank of the train by the time it stopped moving.
The Grand Rapids Fire Department was able to get Mart out from under the train by crawling under the engine.
Mart had broken bones, but was conscious and talking to emergency workers when he was transported from the scene to St. Mary’s Hospital.
GRPD said they do not know why Mart was lying on the tracks.
Anyone with information is asked to call GRPD’s Special Services Unit at 616-456-3771.
