Train collides with Liqui-Grow truck in Durant

One person killed

Posted

One person was killed Friday, May 13, after an eastbound train collided with a tender truck in Durant.

According to an Iowa State Patrol crash report, the collision occurred at the Vail Avenue railroad crossing at 7:25 a.m.

A Liqui-Grow tender truck was traveling southbound on Vail Avenue over the tracks when it was struck by a train operated by Iowa Interstate Railroad.

The impact separated the tank from the truck and ejected the driver, who was transported by Durant Ambulance to an area hospital with severe injuries.

He was later pronounced deceased.

After the collision, the tank came to rest north of the railroad tracks, while the cab ignited and continued to be pushed ahead of the train for approximately a quarter mile. The train was able to come to a full stop near the entrance of Feldhahn Park.

Durant fire, police, and emergency medical services responded to the scene, as well as Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Enforcement, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Air medical services landed, but were not utilized.

Iowa State Patrol is leading the investigation. The agency is withholding the name of the driver at this time, pending family notifications.

The Vail Avenue railroad crossing in Durant is gated. No information has been released regarding the position of the arms at this intersection during the time of the collision.

Two residents living north of the Vail Avenue railroad crossing recalled hearing the train horn sounding off moments before impact.

A full story will be released in the May 21 edition of the Wilton-Durant Advocate News.

durant, train, liqui-grow,

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