Train, vehicle collision in county

Published 3:29 pm Saturday, January 8, 2011

The body of a Ford vehicle rests on its side after a collision with a Norfolk Southern train Saturday afternoon near Lovelady Road in northern Dallas County. Paramedics work on one of the injured passengers from the accident. -- Chris Wasson photo

PLANTERSVILLE — A Norfolk Southern train collided with a white Ford vehicle near Lovelady Road and Dallas County Road 63 in northern Dallas County, killing one and injuring two others.

The train struck the vehicle on the driver’s side, pushing it 10 to 15 yards from the intersection.

Plantersville fire chief Mark Walker confirmed the driver of the vehicle was killed and two passengers were injured.

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Walker said the train’s engineer told authorities the driver of the Explorer did not stop or seem to see the locomotive as the vehicle crossed the intersection.

“It doesn’t look like they ever stopped,” he said.

The identities of the victims have not been released.

Norfolk Southern told authorities no hazardous materials were on the train and the train did not derail.

The Dallas County Sheriff’s office, multiple fire departments and rescue workers and Alabama State Troopers responded to the scene

One passenger in the Explorer was airlifted to Montgomery and later to Birmingham. A second was taken to Vaughan Regional Medical Center and also later transported to Birmingham.

The accident remains under investigation.