A 23-year-old Onarga man is dead after he was hit by a freight train early Sunday in Iroquois County.

Juan Ochoa was pronounced dead at the scene, about a mile north of Danforth.

Sheriff's Police and the Coroner's Office are investigating. Police report Ochoa was walking southbound on the Canadian National Railroad tracks during the early morning hours. The engineer and conductor on a northbound Norfolk Southern freight train said the train's emergency brake was engaged, the horn sounded several times, and there were verbal commands thru the window of the cab in an attempt to Ochoa avoid the collision.

Danfortn and Ashkum Fire, Riverside Ambulance and Illinois State Police assisted at the scene.

94.1 WGFA