Man on lawn mower dies after being struck by train

Metro Wire Staff

One man has died after being hit by a train in Junction City.

Rescue crews from Rudolph and the Stevens Point Fire Department were called to the Main St. crossing in Junction City at 4:27 p.m. on May 25.

Eyewitnesses say the man was on a riding lawn mower and was driving it away from a convenience store after filling the tank with gas when he was struck.

The man was identified as 78-year-old James Pierson of Junction City.

Pierson suffered “extensive injuries from the incident,” according to Sheriff Mike Lukas, and was transported to a local medical facility, where he died from injuries sustained in the incident.

The incident remains under investigation by the Portage County Sheriff’s Office. Agencies assisting at the scene were the Stevens Point Fire Department, Rudolph Fire Department, Portage County EMS, law enforcement from CN, and the Portage County Medical Examiner’s Office.