Man dies in collision with MBTA train

Driver, 76, took car into tunnel

An elderly Peabody man died after his car was struck by a Rockport-bound commuter rail train in Salem yesterday, MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said.

The 76-year-old, whose identity has not yet been released, drove about 100 yards into a train-only tunnel before a northbound commuter rail train hit the car, Pesaturo said.

The man drove down the train platform at Salem Station before entering the tunnel, according to witnesses, Pesaturo said.

A train operator saw the headlights of the car, sounded the horn, and began to brake shortly before 5:30 p.m., he said.

After the crash, the driver got out of the vehicle on his own, Pesaturo said. The car was significantly damaged.

"He was conscious and alert, talking with emergency responders on the scene," Pesaturo said. "There were no visible signs of injury at the scene."

He was transported to North Shore Medical Center Salem Hospital, where he spoke with investigators about the incident before he died, Pesaturo said.

The medical examiner will investigate to determine the cause of death.

"He did tell investigators he had been at one of the casinos in Connecticut today," Pesaturo said.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail service was disrupted for more than two hours, Pesaturo said. The MBTA bused commuters between Lynn and Beverly from about 5:45 to 7:55 p.m.

Transit police are investigating with the help of Salem police and Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett.