Portage firefighters rescue man in vehicle overturned on train tracks just before train strikes

Firefighters arrived to a man stuck on the train tracks Friday, and within seconds, the train crossing lights began flashing, according to Portage Public Safety.

PPS got the call around 6:21 p.m. and by 6:25 p.m. the train came through, according to Nick Armold, chief.

A two-car crash caused the Jeep to overturn near the intersection of Shaver Road and West Centre Avenue, police said.

Firefighters had to quickly remove the driver stuck in an overturned Jeep by dragging him to a safe location just seconds before a train came by and collided with the vehicle, police said.

"The firefighters and police officers on the scene had just minutes to figure out that the train was coming and that it wasn't going to be able to stop," Armold said.

When officers arrived, they found two vehicles, both damaged, police said.

The department did call the railroad to notify them there was a crash with a car left on the tracks, police said.

The driver of the Jeep was taken to a local hospital for treatment of severe back pain. The other driver in the crash was not injured, police said.

"Quick action to throw caution aside and pull that driver out of the jeep. No doubt if you've seen the vehicle that his life was saved," Armold said.