UPDATE: Victim ID’d in Tuesday’s tractor v train collision

Metro Wire Staff

The Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office says a 74-year-old Milladore man has died following an accident south of Junction City.

A passerby called 911 at 11:50 a.m. on July 11 to report a farm tractor had been struck by a train. The tractor operator, now identified as Dennis Brandl, was ejected. He was driving a large tanker used for hauling manure. Brandl was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sheriff Mike Lukas said the tractor was eastbound on Ed’s Lane and attempted to cross the marked railroad crossing. The tractor was crossing the tracks when it collided with a northbound train being operated by Canadian National.

As emergency crews were en route, a helicopter was summoned but canceled a few minutes later when crews determined the man, who is not yet being identified pending notification of family, was beyond help.

Portage County deputies, Portage County Ambulance, Rudolph Fire and Rescue, Rudolph Emergency Medical Responders, and the Portage Co. medical examiner all responded to the scene.