MADISON, Mo. – A truck driver was killed Sunday after he failed to stop at a crossing and struck a Norfolk Southern rock train, causing it to derail, KCRG News reported. Russell Minnis, 65, of Higbee, Mo., was killed after his semi-truck did not stop at the U.S. Route 24 crossing 2 miles east of Madison and struck NS train No. 96Z. The crossing, on the former Wabash Railroad line between Hannibal and Moberly, Mo. is equipped with lights and crossing gates.
At least 13 Herzog rock cars and a distributed power unit derailed. No NS employees were injured.
okay, gates there, BUT noted it derailed DPU and cars….did he crash gates and drove into mid train? Medical issue w/driver? Obviously 2 years hence we will find out. Sad whatever the cause. endmrw0525231355
Because I have seen first hand, an accident prone grade crossing, I was interested in looking at the Madison area. Yep, just as I thought. Look at Google earth and the city. Since I don’t know exactly which crossing, in the area, all the “ingredients” of accidents are there. 1. Lots of trees “tight” on both side of ROW. 2. several grade crossings w/RR are not 90 degrees.
In the past I have looked at Google aerial shots of past accidents. Had the RR removed more than the minimum ROW tree line, Crew/Driver, vision would have prevented the accident. Cost? Yes, but what about safety and the non incurred expense of multiple/fatal accidents and then the necessity of installing gates.
In my case, the crew stated, we saw the truck (his bumper). He stopped, but we could not see the driver. Of course the driver could not see the train. Don’t forget the trucks are loud and sometimes can’t hear the 1st three horn soundings. Only the last one.
Result: After several crashes in the history books, the RR cleared 1000 feet (one in swampy area) and finally installed gates. endmrw0524231152
I’ve said this before, I’ll say it again, railroads need to reach out to the trucking community about grade crossing safety.
I suppose the media will spin this unfortunate accident as yet another train derailment on the derelict Norfolk Southern system.
Yes, it was a ballast train. You have to wonder if a phone or gps nav was involved.
Herzog cars? Was it a ballast train?
Did the driver suffer a medical issue leading to the accident? It’s kidna hard to not notice the train and lights, etc.
Did the truck hit the middle of the train, with lights flashing and gates down?
Another example of a driver not stopping at a crossing. Terrible for the driver’s family.
Ed Burns