Pilot Point man killed by train

A 56-year-old man was killed by a train in Pilot Point Monday while attempting to cross the tracks on his bicycle.

Michael David Tischler of Pilot Point was riding his bicycle westbound in the 200 block of McKinney Street just after 8 a.m. when he attempted to ride around the crossing arm, according to Pilot Point police. The train conductor told officers Tischler’s arm clipped the end of the crossing arm causing him to lose his balance and fall onto the tracks, where he was struck by the southbound Union Pacific freight train. It was raining at the time.

His body came to rest several yards from the crossing underneath the rail cars. There were no signs of life when first responders arrived on scene.

“The gate arms were down and the lights were flashing, the bells, all the signals were going off,” police Chief Ric Sadler said. “[The train] can’t just stop on a dime. It’s not like a car slamming the brakes on.

“It was a catastrophic injury.”

Tischler was reportedly carrying an insulated cup and a bag in one hand while riding. He used the bicycle as a means of transportation around town.

The train was stopped until noon, blocking all crossings north of FM 455 West while the Tarrant County Medical Examiner photographed and cleared the scene. Police do not know if Tischler was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time.