INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Authorities have confirmed that a self-described “tipsy” man was hit Tuesday at 3 a.m. by a train as he tried to cross the tracks.
James Mannings, 40, told the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office he and his girlfriend were walking eastbound on 12th Street from the 7-Eleven when they approached the railroad track. He said in a case report that he was 10 feet behind his girlfriend.
Mannings said his girlfriend saw the railroad crossing arms go down, the light turn on and the bells start to whistle, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Mannings said she went around the arms, and that when he went to do it, he thought he had enough time.
But, when he crossed, the train clipped Mannings’ left buttock, causing him to spin around several times and, while spinning, that caused his foot to hit the train as well.
Mannings said in the report he heard the train immediately stop and when his girlfriend tried to give him help he refused.
Mannings said he went to the hospital on Wednesday because his mother kept telling him to go.
He stated in the report that he had been drinking a little bit and was “tipsy.”
Mannings also said that he “made a poor choice” as he thought he would be able to beat the train.
The train conductor reported the collision, which prompted the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office and the Vero Beach Police Department to search for the man.
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — After railroad crossings where closed early this morning in search of a person possibly being hit by a train, one showed up in local ER around 3:45 p.m. claiming to have been struck, according to scanner traffic.
Tracks were reportedly blocked from 12th Street to Aviation Boulevard through Vero Beach. The man told authorities he was hit at 12th Street and US 1.
His injuries are not known at this time.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.