LANSING, Mich. — People who work at businesses here on Michigan Avenue near Hill Street heard and saw the sirens before piecing together what happened.
They even looked out their windows or stepped outside to see the train stopped on the tracks on Michigan Ave.
"We heard a lot of ambulances flying down, and too many sirens to tell what was going by," said Sandie Lundstrum, John Anthony Florist employee.
"I was in here with a customer and the next thing we noticed was a lot of ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars flying by. It seemed like whatever it was it seemed pretty intense," said Josh Martinez, a barista at Crafted Bean Coffee Shop.
The Crafted Bean Coffee Shop and John Anthony Florist sit a block up from where the train was stopped on Michigan Ave.
"You can definitely see that traffic is being impeded in this local area," said Martinez.
Businesses in the area had to rely on police scanners to fill in the blanks. The investigation is still in its preliminary stages, but police said a 64-year-old man walked out onto the tracks and was hit by the train.
The incident happened where the tracks cross Michigan Ave just west of Hosmer St. blocking Michigan Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue for about 2.5 hours
"Very tragic in nature. In a situation where someone is killed in an accident, you really have to slow everything down and make sure you are doing a proper investigation and each part of the investigation is documented and put together. So you have the correct information to give to the family and the public," said Robert Merritt, Lansing Police Department Public Information Officer.
Police told us the conductor hit the horn several times once he saw the man on the tracks but couldn't slow down in time.
The train had cameras and police will review the footage.
"Middle of the day there could be more witnesses, so we are asking people to come forward if they have info make sure they call the police deptartment.," said Merritt.
CSX Transportation owns the train. It said no crew members were hurt and the company is cooperating with police.
CSX put out a statement saying it appreciates the swift response by local emergency personnel and extends its thoughts to those impacted by this tragic event.
Police have not said why the man was on the tracks. We'll keep you updated on the investigation.
