Broadway stage manager Thomas J. Gates has died at age 51 after being hit by a train

The Broadway community is mourning the loss of Thomas J. Gates, a longtime stage manager who died after being struck by a train in New Jersey. He was 51.

A Morris & Essex Line train struck gates near the South Orange station around 9:12 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, NJ Transit said The New York Daily NewsNJ.com and Patch.com.

The train was scheduled to arrive at Penn Station in New York at 9:42 a.m. and had 60 people on board, including passengers and crew, an NJ Transit spokesperson said in a statement to Patch.com. No other injuries were reported.

According to one To update The incident reported by the NJ Transit System’s account on PEOPLE has reached out to NJ Transit for comment.

Gates’ death was confirmed by the official Instagram account Illinois. Gates worked as a stage manager for the show.

“Thom was the focal point Illinois on Broadway, a beloved friend and collaborator. We are devastated for his husband Rick, another member of the Illinois Community. These two great people have led our company on its journey from the beginning. We dedicate the run of Illinois “To Thom and his loving memories,” the statement said.

The stage production also canceled its show on Wednesday due to the “tragedy within the United States.” Illinois community.”

Gates’ other Broadway credits include: Hi-Fi, Brooklyn, NewsiesAnd The visitper NJ.com.

Sara Bareilles, who worked with Gates on the musical WaitressHe mourned his death in an Instagram tribute.

“He was gentle. He was funny, usually without being so. He spoke softly. Reliable. Generous. Lovingly. Compassionate. Tired and overworked, but I never heard him complain,” Bareilles, 44, wrote.

“He was the first one in and the last one out. “He’s stage managed many shows over the years and taken care of countless others…but he’s the only one I did my first show with who took care of me.” She continued.

The actor described Gates’ death as “indescribably tragic for many reasons.”

Justin Peck, the director and choreographer of Illinois, shared Bareilles’ video on his Instagram Stories along with a message that read, “My heart breaks for this and for him and his family. A truly gentle, kind, brilliant human being… He will be deeply missed in many ways.”

A GoFundMe has been created to support Gates’ husband Rick Steiger, who was also a Broadway stage manager.

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“Rick and Thom are very important to us. “Creating this account is a small way to show Rick our love and support and relieve him of the financial worries of the coming months,” the description reads.