Hobart man killed in rail accident at U.S. Steel

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Updated: March 2, 2012 8:17AM

GARY — The 55-year-old Hobart man killed Monday in an industrial accident involving two train cars at U.S. Steel’s Gary Works was an 11-year-employee at Gary Railway Co.

Michael Shoemaker was the lone employee injured in the accident that occurred at about 5:45 p.m. Monday, according to a statement from U.S. Steel Corp. provided by Erin DiPietro, senior public affairs representative.

Gary Railway Co. is fully cooperating with all the agencies involved in the investigation, including the Federal Railway Administration, according to the statement.

A spokesman for Gary Railway, a Transtar Co., could not be reached for comment Tuesday. A person answering the Gary Railway transportation supervisor’s line at Gary Works said no comment was available.

Shoemaker was pronounced dead at the scene from blunt force trauma by the Lake County Coroner’s office.

GRW is a Class III switching carrier and operates on 63 miles of Yard Track at Gary, according to the company website. GRW provides rail transportation service to U. S. Steel’s Gary Works, as well as four other customers located inside the USS Gary complex.

Bob Dittmer, spokesman for the Indiana Department of Labor, said the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration was notified of the accident by Gary Railway at about 6 p.m. Monday in keeping with state statute.

Dittmer said the employee was involved in switching duties for the rail company and the accident occurred after nightfall. Full details surrounding the accident are not yet available.

IOSHA investigators have been appointed and will conduct an investigation to determine what happened and what, if any, safety violations may have occurred. Investigators have six months to complete the report, but Dittmer said investigations are usually completed quicker.