GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. - A Mount Washington man died Thursday after his vehicle was struck by a train.

 

According to the district attorney's office, Gary Cane died in the collision. His vehicle was struck by a Housatonic Rail Road train at the crossing on Route 23, near the intersection of West Street.

 

Police Chief William Walsh said the crash happened at 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon. Upon arrival police and fire officials determined "a late model Jeep Liberty had been traveling westbound on Rt.23 and approached a grade-level railroad crossing, which had its lights and arms activated indicating an approaching train." 

 

"The vehicle apparently struck one of the arms at the crossing and a northbound, 14-car freight train operated by the Housatonic Railroad Company, struck the vehicle," Walsh wrote in a statement. "The operator of the vehicle, a 76-year-old male from New York state, was pronounced dead at the scene."

 

The circumstances around the crash are unclear. But, the Berkshire Edge is reporting that the man may have been "trying to beat the train" through the crossing.

 

The investigation is being conducted by Great Barrington Police and Fire Department and state Police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office.