(The following report appeared on the Salt Lake Tribune website on June 5.)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — A 52-year-old railroad worker’s legs were mangled on Friday in Cedar City when he was run over by an empty freight car.
Police Sgt. Jerry Womack said Robert Craw, of Minersville, was standing on a ladder on the side of the freight car and using a hand brake in an attempt to link up with a locomotive. The coupling failed and jolted the car, causing Craw to fall part way under the slow moving rail car that ran over both legs.
He was flown to a Salt Lake City hospital for reconstructive surgery, said Womack.
The accident, which happened at 2:30 p.m., is being investigated by Union Pacific Railroad.