A freight train struck and killed a snowmobiler crossing the tracks in Brainerd, auth­orities said Monday.

The collision occurred about 1:30 p.m. Sunday along the BNSF Railway tracks, kill­ing Michael D. Flannigan, 30, of Brainerd, police said.

Police say Flannigan attempted to cross in front of the train below the Hwy. 25 overpass in Brainerd. He was dead at the scene.

“[He]was not at a desig­nated crossing,” said BNSF spokeswoman Amy McBeth.

The train’s operators said that its horn was sounding, but that Flannigan continued and was struck broadside.

Paul Walsh