Train hits snowmobile in Manistique

A Florida man is safe after his snowmobile was hit by a train in Manistique today.

It happened at 3:30 this afternoon at the North Houghton Crossing.

Manistique Public Safety says 64–year–old Alan Hershberger of New Port Richey, Florida got one of his sled’s skis caught in the switch of the railroad tracks.

As he was trying to free the snowmobile, he heard the whistle of an oncoming northbound train.

Hershberger got out of the way before the train hit his snowmobile.

No one was hurt, and the train was not damaged.

But the sled became entangled under the train’s engine, causing a delay until the track could be cleared.

Police say Hershberger and several other people had been traveling through the city on Trail #2.

A member of his party became disoriented in the whiteout conditions, left the trail and headed down the railroad tracks.

Hershberger had just gotten his party back together and was turning his sled around to leave the tracks when his ski got stuck.

Michigan DNR conservation officers assisted at the scene.