6 July 2010

One Dead After Train Collides with Vehicle in Olds

Olds Alberta - The driver of a truck was killed after driving into the path of an oncoming train in the Town of Olds on Tuesday morning.
 
The collision occurred at around 7:15 a.m. in Olds when a northbound freight train collided with a westbound truck near the intersection of Highway 27 and 50th Street in Olds.
 
Kevin Hrysak, a spokesperson with CPR, said the train crew followed all of the proper procedures, sounding their whistles as they came close to the crossing. He said the arms came down at the crossing and the lights and bells were working at the time of crash. Despite that, the driver of the truck proceeded through the crossing, was struck by the train and died.
 
Hrysak said it is exceedingly rare for something like this to happen, but when it does it is extremely hard on the CPR rail crew because they are always the first on the scene. He said the crew has been relieved of duty and offered critical stress counselling.
 
Hrysak encouraged people to stay safe around crossings and property and asked people to heed all warnings.
 
The name, sex, and age of the driver has not yet been released.