Man died after being hit by train

A Niles man died this week after he was struck by the engine of a freight train in Cass County’s Pokagon Township.
Sheriff Richard Behnke said the incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the rail crossing a half mile south of Pokagon Highway.
Investigators said a Norfolk Southern train traveling north came across a subject on the tracks who did not yield for the train and was struck.
The victim was identified as 46-year-old John Paul Merritt. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.