BNSF Train Hits a Tanker Truck Stuck on the Tracks in Fort Worth — the Truck Driver Ran, a Rail Employee Is in the Hospital
A semi-truck carrying beef tallow got stuck crossing the tracks in the 600 block of NE 29th Street on Wednesday afternoon, and a BNSF train could not stop. The truck driver jumped clear seconds before impact, a conductor jumped from the train, and one BNSF employee went to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries — while Fort Worth Fire reported no road closures from a crash that could have been far worse.
FORT WORTH — A freight train and a tanker truck met at a Fort Worth grade crossing on Wednesday afternoon, and the people closest to the collision all got out of the way in time. At around 2:30 p.m. on November 11, a Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) train collided with a semi-truck in the 600 block of NE 29th Street, FOX 4 reported from Fort Worth police and fire officials and the railroad itself.
The truck, which was carrying beef tallow, was attempting to cross the train tracks before apparently getting stuck, FOX 4 reported. Video of the incident obtained by the station shows the driver of the semi-truck jumping out of the vehicle and running away from the tracks seconds before the train and truck collide. Fort Worth Police told FOX 4 that one of the train conductors also jumped out of the train prior to the impact.
BNSF said one of its employees was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after the crash, and that the railroad is cooperating with local law enforcement to investigate the incident. Fort Worth Fire said there were no road closures following the collision — an outcome that kept a bad afternoon from snarling the streets around the crossing as well.
In its statement, BNSF noted that the crossing is equipped with gates and lights, and framed the crash as 'a serious reminder of the importance of exercising great caution around railroad tracks,' adding that drivers and pedestrians must stay clear of railroad tracks at all times. The railroad lists its 24/7 emergency operations center at 1-800-832-5452 for crossing emergencies. The investigation, with local law enforcement, is ongoing.
