The 26-year-old man, identified by police as Warren Mangan of Washago, was hit by an eastbound Canadian Pacific freight train just after midnight on Aug. 31.

Police said Mangan was sitting on the train tracks near The Kee to Bala when the accident occurred. He later was transported to South Muskoka Memorial Hospital in Bracebridge where he was pronounced dead.

Bracebridge OPP said they are investigating what role alcohol may have played in the incident.

Muskoka Lakes fire chief Jim Sawkins, who assisted in the search for Mangan following the accident, said he believes protective rails should be installed around the train tracks to prevent similar deaths in the future.

Sawkins said emergency responders were initially unable to locate the victim. Mangan was eventually found just before 1 a.m. near the intersection of Muskoka Road 169 and Bala Falls Road, he reported.

Sawkins said the victim had been at the Kee prior to the accident.

“I don’t know whose responsibility it is, but somebody should put a fence in up there,” the fire chief said.

The volume of people travelling to and from the Kee, a licensed establishment, coupled with its close proximity to the train tracks makes for a particularly dangerous situation, Sawkins said.

Under fire regulations, the Kee is allowed to house up to 1,060 people.

“They should be installing six- to 10-foot rails around those tracks, on both sides,” Sawkins said. “If you go into any residential neighbourhood, you see rails around the tracks. They need them, especially, here (at the Kee).”

Robin Pentland, assistant manager of the Kee, declined to comment on the matter. Pentland would not confirm whether the victim had been at the Kee prior to the accident.

Further calls to the establishment for comment were not returned.

Friends of Mangan, meanwhile, are mourning the loss of their friend.

Mandy Sloan, who knew Mangan for two years, said he was well liked and generous.

“He . . . could have $10 in his pocket and would give it to you, if you needed it. He was an amazing person,” said Sloan.

Sloan said Mangan grew up in the Southwood area and was working in Washago. He had a girlfriend.

Friends and family, she said, were shocked to learn about his death.

“It is really hard,” said Sloan. “It always seems to be the really good that die young.”

Breanne Feigel, spokesperson for Canadian Pacific, said the investigation into the accident is ongoing.

While Feigel lamented Mangan’s death, she said he was trespassing onto CP property when the accident occurred.

“As tragic as this situation is, it’s a big reminder that it’s not safe for people to trespass onto railroad property,” she said.

The CP crew involved in the accident, she indicated, is having a difficult time dealing with the matter. When crews spotted Mangan they attempted to stop, but were unable to do so.

“It takes a train at least 1,000 metres to stop,” she said. “It’s very tragic and very hard on our crews.”

Feigel said CP is not responsible for fencing around railroad property, but would consider it in Bala if the community feels it necessary. Fencing is usually installed only after discussions with the local municipal governments, she indicated.

“If it’s something that the community wants to address, we have people in place that will certainly enter into discussions,” she said.

CP, Feigel continued, has no previous record of a “trespasser fatality” in that particular area of Bala, dating back to 1996.

According to Sloan, a celebration of life for Mangan will be held at the Washago Community Centre on Sept. 6 from 4 to 7 p.m.