No injuries in train crash

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A flatbed trailer being hauled by a truck was struck by a train on North CR 400W in Hancock County Thursday morning.

Hancock County Sheriff’s Department | Submitted photo

HANCOCK COUNTY – No one was injured after a train struck a truck trailer stuck on railroad tracks in the northern part of the county Thursday morning.

Emergency responders were called to the crash at about 9:16 a.m. at the railroad crossing at North CR 400W just north of Ind. 67/U.S. 36.

Capt. Robert Harris, public information officer for the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, said a tractor-trailer was southbound on CR 400W approaching Ind. 67/U.S. 36 when it attempted to cross the railroad tracks.

CR 400W’s intersection with the tracks is atop a steep hill, Harris noted, adding that after the flatbed trailer’s front wheels went over the hill, the middle of the trailer got stuck on the tracks.

The truck driver was able to exit the vehicle before the trailer was struck by an oncoming train, Harris continued.

“Thankfully there were no injuries to the driver of the truck or anyone on the train,” he said.

Harris added the truck trailer briefly caught on fire but was extinguished by fire personnel.

The tractor of the truck spun around and struck the train’s caboose, causing it to detach but not derail.

The tracks were damaged and CSX was on scene repairing them late Thursday morning, Harris said.

Harris noted there is a sign posted instructing tractor-trailers not to cross the tracks on CR 400W because they will get stuck. He added the driver said he saw the sign but tried to cross anyhow because he had nowhere else to turn around.

Traffic on Ind. 67/U.S. 36 was blocked for a short time while the scene was cleaned up.