(The following article was posted on Indianapolis television station WRTV’s website on June 9.)
INDIANAPOLIS — Emergency crews were clearing an accident Monday morning on the southwest side after an 18-wheeler collided with a train shortly before 9 a.m.
Investigators told RTV6’s Julie Pursley that the CSX train was backing up to Reilly Chemicals to unload its caboose when the driver of the big rig tried to beat it near the intersection of West Minnesota Street and South Holt Road.
The force of the impact knocked the train off the tracks and the 18-wheeler on its side, Pursley reported. The train ended up on top of the big rig.
“I could tell the train was moving but it was so slow … you could probably beat it if it was a regular truck,” witness Josh Farley said.
The driver of the 18-wheeler told police that he thought the train was stopped, but the employees on the train said it was moving around 3 mph.
The three CSX employees on the train were not injured. The driver of the big rig was taken to an area hospital, but his injuries were not believed to be serious.
Officials said the cleanup will last well into the afternoon because heavy equipment needed to be brought in from Columbus to lift the train back onto the track, Pursley reported.
Roads near the scene were closed as a result of the collision. It occurred in an industrial area away from heavy traffic.
Police said the driver will not be cited in the incident.