Semi trailer sheared by train

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This article was published 13/11/2017 (2326 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The driver of a semi truck escaped injury on Tuesday morning after a near miss at a rail crossing east of La Broquerie at Road 34N, close to the intersection of Provincial Road 210.

An oncoming train missed him but didn’t miss his truck.

The backend of the truck’s second trailer, which was struck and sheared off by the passing train, landed in ditch several metres from the rest of the truck.

GRANT BURR | THE CARILLON
The driver of a semi narrowly escaped injury after a collision with a train at a rail crossing east of La Broquerie on Tuesday morning.
GRANT BURR | THE CARILLON The driver of a semi narrowly escaped injury after a collision with a train at a rail crossing east of La Broquerie on Tuesday morning.

“Luckily it hit the second trailer, no one was hurt,” said La Broquerie fire chief Alain Nadeau.

He added initial investigation has shown the driver noticed the train too late and continued through the uncontrolled crossing to avoid the cab being struck.

“That’s a lot of power. These trains are very heavy. You have no chance,” Nadeau observed.

He said the train was travelling about 50 m/ph when the collision occurred, tossing the portion of the trailer in the process.

“It’s like hitting a fly for a big train,” he said.

Nadeau said it isn’t the first time an accident has occurred at the crossing.

GRANT BURR | THE CARILLON
The rear of the truck's second trailer was ripped off and tossed several metres from the rest of the unit.
GRANT BURR | THE CARILLON The rear of the truck's second trailer was ripped off and tossed several metres from the rest of the unit.

“It’s an angled crossing, which doesn’t help. There’s been quite a few close calls. It’s close to the highway so people watch for traffic on the highway and not necessarily the traffic on the track. Lights or gates would not be a bad thing here,” he said.

Nadeau said he expected it would take a couple hours to clear the scene, noting the train will now be towed to Winnipeg and that a natural gas line adjacent to the tracks is being inspected for damage before the truck and trailers would be removed.

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