Man dies after wheelchair jams on Puyallup train tracks

A man is dead after his electric wheelchair jammed on railroad tracks in Puyallup, Washington, moments before a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train smashed into him. Police say the tragedy happened at the North Meridian crossing just before 2pm. The victim was 59 years old. Captain Jeremy Hedrick of the Puyallup Police Department confirmed that number to KIRO 7. He promised more details once his family knew about the death.

Two witnesses saw it happen and tried to pull him free but failed. They could not save him, and he died from his injuries. Bud Lordier, who lives in Matlock, posted on social media identifying the victim as his brother. Lordier shared screenshots of news reports with this heartbreaking message: 'This is my little Brother Richie. He was 1 of 9 children. I can't believe he is gone especially this way.' He added that Richie had an extremely rough life but never gave up, not one time. 'I'm going to miss you,' Lordier wrote on Facebook.

Jim Marshall claimed he knew the man and said the victim was heading to a birthday party he threw at 1:30pm when the accident occurred. Another person who knows him, Tasha McBauer, posted that she saw Rich an hour before the crash. She noted that people tried to help but he refused assistance. 'His name is Rich. Saw him a hour before he was hit. From what I have been told, people tried to help him but he refused,' McBauer wrote.

Bernese Larson, a Puyallup resident who came out to watch the scene, explained her own safety habits after using a walker for years. She said she had to be extremely careful crossing tracks and used a special technique to stay safe. When she reached the rails, she would raise her wheels so they did not go inside or over the rail. 'I am sorry to see it happening to people,' Larson told King 5.

A BNSF spokesperson told reporters that the train crew members were uninjured in this accident. The team emphasized the need for vigilance at crossings and warned people to stay at least 15 feet away from tracks, use only designated crossings, and never cross when signals are activated or gates are down. They are working with law enforcement as the investigation moves forward.

The police department notified residents via X that the crossing would remain closed while investigators work. Central Pierce Fire & Rescue initially said a victim was taken to a local hospital. Captain Hedrick later told KIRO Newsradio that those reports were incorrect. At this point, it does not appear to be intentional but a tragic accident, Hedrick told KOMO News. The Puyallup Police Department has asked witnesses to contact them through the tip line or email with any information they have.