(The Alva Review Courier published the following story by Yvonne Miller on its website on September 11.)
ALVA, Okla. — Black smoke could be seen billowing into the sky on a drizzly afternoon Monday just a few miles northeast of Kiowa, Kan., along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad.
The fire erupted when a semi and train collided, causing a derailment yet remarkably sparing the life of the truck driver Justin Slattery of Dodge City, Kan. The accident happened at the intersection of K-2 Highway and Rattlesnake Road which locals know is a difficult crossing to see clearly.
According to Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Bryan Quick, Slattery was southbound on Rattlesnake Road driving a 1988 Peterbilt semi-tractor trailer hauling a John Deere tractor. Slattery was driving for Dodge City Implement. Slattery failed to yield to the oncoming train. Trooper Quick said engineers of the train traveling 70 mph told him they were blowing their horns in full force, yet they saw the semi continue toward the tracks.
The train hit the semi, causing the derailment of 10 intermodel railcars and two engines. The John Deere tractor and diesel caught fire. Despite the disaster of debris and flames, Slattery was able to crawl out of his truck and get to the highway. A passerby took him to the Kiowa District Hospital. That person later told Trooper Quick that Slattery was coherent and talking.
An Eagle Med helicopter flew Slattery to Wichita where he was admitted to St. Francis Hospital. Tuesday morning, a St. Francis spokesperson said Slattery was in good condition.
RAILROAD CLOSED NEARLY 20 HOURS
Steve Forsberg, general director of public relations for BNSF in Kansas City, said the railroad was closed almost 20 hours. He said the line opened about 10 Tuesday morning. From moments after the crash through Tuesday morning, K-2 Highway was also closed to through traffic during the clean-up efforts.
Forsberg said the derailed cars carried about 40 truck trailers full of merchandise which included mainly consumer goods. He explained that some of the ingredients in those goods can be hazardous material if exposed. Forsberg said that no hazardous material was compromised.
If the contents were not damaged, Forsberg said they will be shipped on to customers. He confirmed that all of the damaged contents, debris, etc., will be removed from the scene and disposed of elsewhere. He said although workers were able to open the tracks, people will most likely be on the scene for more cleaning efforts the next several days.
Forsberg estimates costs of this wreck in the single digit millions. He said from 50 to 70 trains typically use those tracks in a 24-hour period. The wreck threw dozens of trains off schedule that had to be rerouted.
“We are grateful no one lost their life,” Forsberg said, “But, this is an example of what happens when drivers don’t yield for trains.”
When asked about damages, Forsberg replied, “Our customers and company were damaged. That will be determined later.”