Conway,AR : No one injured in truck vs. train collision on August, Monday 7th 2017

No one was injured in a train-vehicle collision that occurred just outside of Mayflower along Highway 365 around 3:30 p.m. Monday.

Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Matt Rice said the driver of the tractor trailer was able to jump from his truck, which was caught on the tracks, before the train hit.

From what authorities could tell, the truck driver was attempting to cross the tracks when his rig got stuck in the tracks shortly before 3:30 p.m.

The conductor was able to see the stalled vehicle in time to react, Rice said.

“As of right now all we know is he was trying to cross over,” Rice said. “The train was able to let air out of his brakes and stopped the train as soon as possible … [the train] didn’t hit him in full force but it did hit [the truck].”

The truck rolled onto its side and caught fire when the train hit it.

Rice said the Mayflower Volunteer Fire Department was able to extinguish the flames in about 10 minutes.

Traffic along Highway 365 was shut down and drivers were redirected to take the Baker-Wills Parkway onto Interstate 40 for about 30 minutes following the crash. About two hours later, the road was again temporarily shut down to allow a wrecker to pull the truck out of the ditch.

Jeff DeGraff, Union Pacific director of corporate and media relations, said the company was pleased to hear there were no injuries.

“This was an unfortunate incident,” DeGraff said of the truck that became disabled as it attempted to cross the tracks.

DeGraff said he was glad the driver “acted appropriately” by escaping the vehicle before the train hit.

None of the train’s crew members were injured and the train did not sustain major damages.

“There weren’t any significant damages,” DeGraff said. “There were a few burn marks and abrasions on the cab of the locomotive.”

Rice said the trailer was not carrying any goods at the time of the crash, also noting paramedics remained on scene as authorities worked to clear the area.

Union Pacific officials along with FCSO, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Highway Police, Mayflower Police Department, Mayflower Fire Department, Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services and the Faulkner County Office of Emergency Management each worked to help clear the scene Monday.


Source :
No one injured in truck vs. train collision