Thursday's Internet Edition, March 11, 2010.
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| Department of Public Safety troopers begin their investigation of a train collision with a grain truck Thursday in Bishop. Impact of the collision bent the body of the 18-wheel right, but the driver walked away uninjured and there was no damage to the railroad tracks. (Photo by Maria Rodriguez) |
Although the driver was not injured, the 18-wheeler carrying corn to Progresso, Mexico, was split open, spilling corn all over the roadway.
The impact of the collision bent the rig into a horseshoe shape with the front and back of the rig facing in the same direction.
“The driver of the 18-wheeler claims he stalled out due to engine trouble while crossing the tracks, causing the train to hit the tail end of the big rig,” a Department of Public Safety state trooper said.
Crossbars were recently installed on Bishop’s Fifth Street railroad crossing; however, crossbars have not been installed at FM 70.
The train was traveling northbound at 40 miles an hour when the conductor realized that the 18-wheeler was not moving.
“We could not stop the train in time; it takes up to a mile and a half to stop a train running on rails,” said Joe Arbona, Director of Regional Public Affairs for Union Pacific.
“Vehicles should always obey traffic signals and pay attention to flashers when on,” he said.
“We are so grateful that no one was hurt,” Arbona said, noting that there was no damage to the track following the collision.
“It is always best to look both ways before crossing, and never, ever try to beat the train,” Arbona said.
The train blocked all crossovers in Bishop for several hours, causing inconvenience to Bishop residence.
Bishop Police were also having trouble keeping traffic away from the scene.
“Seeing the 18-wheeler split in half and hit by a train, I automatically thought someone had died,” said passerby Adri Mendez of Kingsville.
“The driver is very fortunate to be alive.”