Washington man in wheelchair dies after getting stuck on rail tracks as witnesses desperately try to free him before freight train strikes

Richard Geiger, 59, died at the North Meridian crossing in Puyallup shortly after 2pm on Wednesday when his electric wheelchair became trapped on the tracks. Two bystanders attempted to free him but could not pull him clear before a BNSF freight train struck him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police Captain Jeremy Hedrick said investigators do not believe the collision was deliberate.

Brother Bud Lordier wrote: 'He had an extremely rough life but he never gave up.'

Police have corrected an earlier report suggesting one of the would-be rescuers was also struck, saying that information was wrong.

Friend Jim Marshall said Geiger had left his birthday party shortly before the incident.