VALPARAISO | Two men decided to play "chicken" with a train -- seeing how long they could remain on the rail the longest without getting hit -- but one of the men lost the game and his life, Valparaiso police said.

Patrick R. Stiff, 23, of Valparaiso, was struck by a train at 12:01 a.m. Saturday on the railroad tracks behind the Franklin House bar at Campbell Street and Indiana Avenue.

The coroner's office said it appears he died of blunt force trauma. The final cause of death ruling is pending a toxicology report.

Stiff was walking westbound along the tracks with two other men. One of the men, Portage resident Christopher Risner, said he and Stiff began playing chicken, and both were trying to get out the path of a moving train right before being hit.

Risner told police he jumped in front of a westbound train near Napoleon Street and was able to get out of its path in time, but Stiff didn't move in time. Risner told police the train hit Stiff, knocking him into the air.

Risner said the other man who was with them did not participate in the game. After the crash, the train continued because the conductor was unaware he hit anyone, police said.

VALPARAISO | Two men decided to play "chicken" with a train -- seeing how long they could remain on the rail the longest without getting hit -- but one of the men lost the game and his life, Valparaiso police said.

Patrick R. Stiff, 23, of Valparaiso, was struck by a train at 12:01 a.m. Saturday on the railroad tracks behind the Franklin House bar at Campbell Street and Indiana Avenue.

The coroner's office said it appears he died of blunt force trauma. The final cause of death ruling is pending a toxicology report.

Stiff was walking westbound along the tracks with two other men. One of the men, Portage resident Christopher Risner, said he and Stiff began playing chicken, and both were trying to get out the path of a moving train right before being hit.

Risner told police he jumped in front of a westbound train near Napoleon Street and was able to get out of its path in time, but Stiff didn't move in time. Risner told police the train hit Stiff, knocking him into the air.

Risner said the other man who was with them did not participate in the game. After the crash, the train continued because the conductor was unaware he hit anyone, police said.

thetimesonline.com

Submitted on 06/27/2007

Submitted by: Brian Conway
Reference: NWI.com, June 26, 2007

Copyright © 2007 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I guess the late (and appropriately named) Mr. Stiff won! Or did he? Pretty much as stupid as it gets! The fact that the conductor was unaware he hit anything somehow adds humor to this. What a waste of a life! Thanks, Brian, I got a chuckle out of this!

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Stiff could become a two-time winner if he also gets a Darwin Award for winning his game of Chicken! Thanks for sending this in Brian.

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