(Tampa television station Bay News 9 posted the following story on its website on July 31.)
TAMPA, Fla. — A dump truck loaded with rock salt and a CSX freight train collided at about 2 this morning at the Port of Tampa.
The accident happened when the freight train was backing up, getting ready to fill up a load, and the dump truck apparently rolled through a stop sign.
The crash caused the rail car and the dump truck to tip over, pinning the train conductor, who was riding on the back of the train.
The conductor, L. K. Lucas, was trapped beneath the dump truck for about two hours until rescue workers cut him out of the wreckage with welding equipment. He was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital and is now in extremely critical condition with massive leg injuries.
The dump truck driver has minor injuries and may be charged in the accident.