Train Hits Car Stuck on Railroad Tracks
A train hit a car stuck on railroad tracks near South Mall on Tuesday morning
A woman escaped injury when she was able to get out of her car before it got hit by a train Tuesday morning.
She mistakenly drove onto railroad tracks and her car stalled around 6:30 a.m., according to reports by WFMZ and Lehigh Valley Live.
She called police, but the train couldn't be alerted in time to stop. The car was pushed down the tracks in the area of 31st Street between Emmaus Avenue and Lehigh Street -- near South Mall.
The force of a train hitting a car is comparable to a car hitting a soda can, according to Operation Lifesaver, a rail safety education website.
There were more than 2,000 car-train incidents at public and private rail crossings in 2011. Those resulted in 271 deaths and more than 1,000 injuries.
Allentown police are investigating Tuesday's accident.
Carl W
11:11 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
Can't help but feel so sorry for this woman. You CAN manually stop trains at such times. 'Ground,' the tracks which, even as a fire/rescue person I still have to really learn. This sends a red light too engineer, and puts lights beside tracks on red, for a good 10 miles.
Engineer is to respond w/ 3 blasts of whistle. Unfortunately, CAN take up to 3+ miles for a train to stop. (All police, fire, & ambulance good to learn this)!!!
Good luck, miss !
Carl W
11:13 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
N.F.P.A, Int. affiliate; fmr. Western Salisbury - striving to always be best we can-, & Sarasota County firefighter.