Two Goessel men died Sunday afternoon when the vehicle in which they were riding was struck by a train.

According to Chase County Sheriff Richard Dorneker, Gabriel Demmitt, 26, was driving a 1996 Chevrolet Suburban northbound from a field entrance in Chase County at 3:53 p.m. Sunday when he attempted to cross a railroad crossing in front of an oncoming train. Michael Mathews, 30, was a passenger in the passenger vehicle.

Dorneker said both men were ejected on impact and died at the scene. The train was owned by BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe) Railway. The engine sustained some damage. No one on the train was injured.

The accident occurred near U.S.-50 milemarker 310 on private property. The crossing was not marked.

Demmitt was a former Peabody resident and recently had moved to Goessel.