Toddler Siblings Hit By Train, One Dead: Portage Police

PORTAGE, IN — A 3-year-old boy is dead and his 2-year-old sister is injured after they were hit by a freight train around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, the Portage Police Department said. Officers were called to a collision involving the train just south of the Woodland Village Mobile Home Park, 5757 U.S. Highway 20.

Portage Officer Laura Lightfoot was first to the scene where she found two toddlers had been hit, and the 3-year-old was deceased, police said.

The 2-year-old was hurt and crying as Portage Fire Department crews arrived to help her, police said. The little girl was taken to Comers Children's Hospital by UCAN-(University of Chicago Aeromedical Network) helicopter crews.

Officials said an initial investigation by Portage Police Detectives indicated it appeared the toddlers snuck out a screen door of their nearby home and made their way to the CSX tracks.

According to Portage police, the train conductor told officials when he saw the toddlers on the tracks he blew the horn and tried to brake, but was unable to stop the train in time to avoid them.

Chief Troy Williams said the Portage Police Detective Bureau will continue to investigate this incident.

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